Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and a quarter minutes. These defects can affect the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can result in an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect or injury, it could have serious health consequences for the child for life. Birth defects can result from a medical error or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects is prevented by the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In some instances birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that occur during pregnancy like uterine constraint rupture of the amniotic sac or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders which run in families. These can be detected by the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Certain illnesses can be treated or birth Defect attorneys prevented, such as PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Some birth defects are not known to have a cause. They are known as congenital disorders, or congenital anomalies.

Women who are older than 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities are at an increased risk for some birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic illnesses may consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help them determine if further testing is required. Newborn screening tests can identify some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can alter the way organs function or the structure of the person. birth defect attorney defects can be spotted by a doctor during pregnancy, before birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable like cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial disorders, while others are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed through newborn screening tests, which check for specific health issues. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be identified by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the condition.

It may not always be possible to determine the cause of a birth defect, however it is usually linked to environmental factors. This can include exposure to prescription or over-the counter medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water in communities, or complications during pregnancy or the birth defect attorneys. Other times birth defects can be the result of a doctor failing to take the appropriate measures to avoid or treat a medical disease. In these cases medical malpractice claims could be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is diagnosed, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the condition. Some birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby's birth.

Most of the most prevalent problems are chromosomal. They are caused by extra or missing genes that are present in cells of a person. They are typically passed down from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart issues. These defects are caused due to issues with the development of organs in the baby, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests are performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They may also be conducted later in life if signs start to appear. These tests can be performed by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have a genetic test for birth defects in order to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

It's not always easy to avoid birth defects. Some are due to complications that arise during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced to certain environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Some birth defects can be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science birth injuries and defects are an unsettling fact. Fortunately most birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child suffering from a birth defect that may have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to talk to an expert lawyer as soon as you can. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we are proud on the quality of service we offer to our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can focus on your child and your entire family.

We can help you seek compensation for your losses, which could include future and past medical expenses loss of income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases, and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them onto the market, and inform customers about any possible side effects. If, however, your child's birth defect was caused by a drug, you could file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.