Below you will find a brief introduction to the results of a study that was done that reviewed different potential causes of autism by looking at data from births across the United States. In particular, you will find information regarding the rise in the risk of contracting autism based on a situation that’s known as meconium aspiration syndrome. Any parents whose child has been diagnosed with autism and who believe that their child may have contracted this condition because of a mistake made by medical professionals needs to obtain the advice of New York medical malpractice lawyers as soon as possible.
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome – A Brief Description
After a child is born, he or she will pass stool that is known as meconium before the baby digests any breast milk or formula. This is a natural process and it basically expels the waste from the nutrients that the child had ingested in the womb. This usually occurs shortly after birth and after it’s passed the child will begin to pass a different type of feces.
However, when the baby is enduring a difficult birth for whatever reason and experiences stress, he or she may pass this meconium while still in the womb. Once this happens, the meconium could combine with the ambiotic fluid. If this occurs, the baby could inhale the meconium with the ambiotic fluid. If this occurs, the meconium could wind up in the child’s lungs. This can cause serious breathing problems or even completely block the airway, and any lack of oxygen at this stage of life can permanently harm the brain. This is generally what’s known as meconium aspiration syndrome.
Brain Damage and Autism
Autism is actually a range of specific disorders and the rate of autism has skyrocketed in recent years in the United States. While there is no one known cause for autism, it is accepted that a lack of oxygen and a resulting injury to the brain can ultimately lead to this diagnosis. A study that was done within the past year found that infants who suffered meconium aspiration syndrome were seven times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than those who did not.
Unfortunately, meconium aspiration syndrome can result from mistakes made by the medical professionals overseeing a birth. If your child has suffered in this manner, you need to seek the help of New York medical malpractice lawyers who have been standing up for the rights of families for more than 40 years. Contact The Fitzgerald Law Firm today to schedule a free initial consultation.