Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and an hour, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

The way that cases are classified and identified can result in either under or over-ascertaining certain types of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect or injury, it can have serious health effects on the child's future. Birth defects are often caused by an error in medical care or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defects can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other instances they may result from environmental factors like exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects are also caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, such as uterine constraint rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that run in families. These can be identified with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Certain of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects are not known to have a reason and are classified as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at an increased chance of having birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illnesses might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help them determine if additional testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that can be treated as soon as they are identified.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function or the structure of the person. Birth defects can be spotted by a medical professional during the pregnancy process, at birth, or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates or craniofacial defects, are obvious. Some, however, are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct, which transports an influx of bile to the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified by newborn screening tests which look for certain health issues. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often associated with. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over the counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water in communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or the birth. Other times birth defects may be the result of a doctor not taking appropriate steps to avoid or treat a medical condition. In these cases, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect has been diagnosed, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the defect. Some can be corrected before the birth of a baby, while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. resulting from missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. They are typically inherited from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips and neural tube defects and heart issues. They are typically caused by problems during the development of a baby's body organs, especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be conducted during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to show. These tests can be done via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed towards a particular condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Certain Birth Defect attorneys [http://users.atw.hu] defects result from complications that occur during pregnancy, whereas other can be linked to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Certain birth defects are caused by certain chemicals that are present in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects remain an unfortunate fact. Thankfully many birth defects can be prevented. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect may be due to the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help you comprehend your legal options and pursue compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with wrongful birth claims. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the exceptional service we offer to our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in pursuing compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages when necessary, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and then work to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Drug makers are required to thoroughly test their products before putting them on market and to warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.