Ohio Birth Injury Attorneys
Advanced Maternal Age
It is becoming increasingly common for older women to become mothers. According to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine, the number of first births for women age 35 to 39 increased by 36 percent between 1991 and 2001, and the rate among women age 40 to 44 grew by 70 percent.
Risks Associated With Advanced Maternal Age
With an increase in maternal age comes an increase in the risk of many birth injuries and birth defects, including:
- Down syndrome, neural tube defects and other birth defects
- Miscarriage
- Gestational diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Placental problems
- Premature birth
The attorneys of The Becker Law Firm, L.P.A., in Cleveland, Ohio, represent families who have been harmed by medical negligence, including failure to recognize potential issues associated with advanced maternal age, and failure to make a referral to a doctor who specializes in high-risk pregnancies, such as a perinatologist or a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist.
Physicians must inform older women of the potential risks so they can make informed decisions about their pregnancies. Obstetrical caregivers must also carefully manage these risks in order to prevent possible injuries to the mother and child.
Down Syndrome and Advanced Maternal Age
Advanced maternal age is directly related to an increased risk of Down syndrome. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the risk of having a child with Down syndrome is:
- At age 25: 1/1,300
- At age 35: 1/365
- At age 45: 1/30
Testing can detect the presence of chromosomal defects that cause Down syndrome and other birth defects. Parents must be offered the opportunity to find out whether their child has these defects.
The testing is voluntary; presenting the opportunity to be tested is not. Physicians who fail to offer parents these tests can be held legally responsible in a wrongful birth lawsuit should the child be born with Down syndrome or another birth defect.
Cleveland Malpractice Lawyers: Advanced Maternal Age
Our lawyers can determine whether malpractice was involved in your case. To get your questions answered, please contact our office by e-mail or call toll free 877-863-6219. We offer a free initial consultation.
