Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and an hour, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can have a lasting effect on the lives of the affected.

Variations in the way cases are classified and identified can result in over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment that includes medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect or injury it could have serious health consequences for birth defect the child's future. Birth defects can result from medical errors or negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defect can be prevented through taking care of your baby and eating well. In other instances they could result from environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, including constriction of the uterus, rupture the amniotic sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the fetus.

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses are treatable or preventable, such as PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no reason and are classified as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and those of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic disorders might want to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they require further testing. Screening tests for newborns can reveal some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any part of the body which affects the way organs function or the structure of the body. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or even during early childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial disorders however others are more noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified by newborn screening tests, which are designed to detect certain health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders like Down syndrome. Some birth defect lawyer defects can be detected by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the defect.

It's not always easy to determine the source of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually associated with. These include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects arise because a doctor failed to take the appropriate steps to treat or Birth Defect prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect can vary based on the severity and type. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require medical intervention or surgery after the baby is born.

A few of the most common defects are the chromosomal. They are caused by missing or excess genes within cells of a person. These are usually inherited from the parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart problems. These birth defects are caused by issues with the baby's organ development, particularly in the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later in life when symptoms start to show. The tests can be conducted via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular disease.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some birth defects are caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, whereas other can be traced to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could result in birth defects. Some birth defects are related to chemicals that are present in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries remain a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has many years of experience handling wrongful birth cases. We are a plaintiffs-only company and take great pride in the quality of service we provide our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can focus on your child, you and your entire family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in some instances as well as emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.

Drug manufacturers are expected to test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market and to warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you may start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.