Choanal atresia is the most common nasal abnormality in newborns and occurs twice as often in females than in males. It is believed to develop when the tissue separating the nose and mouth area during fetal development remains following birth. Although medical researchers have not yet identified the specific cause of this birth defect, recent studies found a link between exposure to PFAS and choanal atresia. Exposure to these dangerous chemicals, which are currently lurking on over 700 military sites, can lead to the development of choanal atresia in infants. The most common symptoms of this condition are:
- the chest retracts unless the child is breathing through the mouth or crying
- difficulty breathing after birth, which may result in a bluish discoloration
- inability to nurse and breathe at the same time
- inability to pass a catheter through each side of the nose into the throat
- persistent one-sided nasal blockage or discharge
- recurrent sinus infections
If you are the wife of a member of the military who was stationed at a military base contaminated with PFAS while you were pregnant and gave birth to a child with choanal atresia, you may be eligible for compensation. Similarly, if you are a female member of the military who gave birth to a child with choanal atresia, you might also qualify for compensation. With over 25 years of experience in pursuing compensation for victims of toxic exposure, our legal team is ready to provide you with quality assistance in filing a claim to recover the financial compensation you are entitled to.