As birth defects occurring when a baby's lip or mouth does not form as it should during pregnancy, cleft lip and cleft palate are known as oral cleft defects. While cleft lip affects 1 in every 2,800 babies, cleft palate occurs in 1 in every 1,700 babies.
However, the children of Camp Lejeune veterans and family members are more likely to be born with oral cleft defects, as their parents drank contaminated water at the military base during the last century.
According to medical studies, maternal exposure to industrial solvents, which were present in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune, increases the risk of having a child with cleft lip or cleft palate.
Exposure to industrial solvents increases the risk of women having a child with an oral cleft defect, according to a study from Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The researchers found that the risk increased linearly with the level of exposure within the three subgroups of examined solvents they considered - aliphatic alcohols, glycol ethers, and oxygenated solvents, including esters, ketones, and aliphatic aldehydes.
Another study from Environmental Health analyzed the risk of congenital anomalies following prenatal exposure to perchloroethylene. Researchers discovered that the risk of oral cleft defects was high among test subjects at any level of prenatal exposure to the solvent. Mothers with high levels of exposure to perchloroethylene-contaminated drinking water during the first trimester had increased odds of having a child with cleft lip with or without cleft palate.
Other risk factors for having a baby with an oral cleft defect include the following:
If you were stationed at Camp Lejeune, either as a service member or the family member of one, and have a child with an oral cleft defect as a result of drinking toxic water, do not hesitate to contact Atraxia Law. We can easily help you find out whether you are eligible to file a claim and recover financial compensation for your baby's distress. Our team of professionals can assist you in determining your eligibility with minimal involvement from you during the process.
With over 35 years of experience in evaluating toxic exposure claims, our expert team is ready to offer you the assistance you need if you spent time at Camp Lejeune and had a baby with an oral cleft defect. The only documents we will request to assess your case are your military records or evidence of your stay at the military base and the medical records of your child. If you are entitled to compensation, we will put you in touch with a reputable attorney.