Agent Orange exposure can cause birth defects such as neural tube defects, cleft lip and palate, extra fingers, and intellectual disabilities. Both partners can be affected, and compensation may be available for those affected. Prenatal screening can help diagnose these defects.
Agent Orange birth defects can include neural tube defects, cleft lip and palate, extra fingers, and intellectual disabilities. These are caused by dioxin, one of the key ingredients in this chemical. Much of the research on this topic involves reports of Vietnam veterans and Vietnamese beings exposed to this defoliant during the Vietnam War. Aircraft dropped large volumes of herbicides during the war to limit the green cover available to Vietnamese soldiers.
When the neural tube, a structure that emerges early in fetal development, fails to form properly, the result is a neural tube defect. Conditions like spina bifida and encephaly, in which the brain fails to fully form, are examples of these Agent Orange birth defects. Other children may have intellectual disabilities which can cause varying degrees of disability due to abnormalities in the brain. Cleft lip and palate can also occur due to problems with fetal development. These conditions can be challenging and difficult to treat.
Some Agent Orange birth defects cause patients to develop polydactyls, where they have extra fingers and toes. This may be treatable with surgery and may not cause any lasting problems. Hernias are also common and can also be managed with surgery. Miscarriage and stillbirth are also potential complications of chemical exposure, caused by birth defects incompatible with life. Concerned parents may request a medical evaluation after a poor pregnancy to explore possible causes.
Research into Agent Orange birth defects shows that they can occur when either partner is exposed to the chemical. Men can have problems with their sperm after exposure and may carry defective sperm for several weeks after exposure. Women who come into contact with Agent Orange during pregnancy may have children with birth defects, depending on the timing and intensity of exposure. This chemical can also cause chronic health problems that can contribute to birth defects.
Many of these birth defects can be diagnosed with prenatal screening, as they can be seen on an ultrasound. In some cases, people with Agent Orange birth defects may be eligible for compensation or assistance from the government or a worker’s compensation fund, depending on the circumstances of an exposure. Parents of babies with such birth defects can discuss options with their doctors. Compensation can help them pay for surgery and other needs to support the child, particularly if they experience a complex disability requiring lifelong care due to exposure to Agent Orange.
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