Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Differences in how cases are classified and identified could lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with an injury or defect it can have serious health effects on the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects are often the result of an error in medicine or Birth Defects a medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In some instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that occur during pregnancy such as the uterine restriction, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the inability to supply oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. These can be identified with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these diseases can be prevented or treated like PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or birth defects congenital conditions.

Women over 30 and of certain ethnicities have a higher chance of having birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to have a baby. This will help them determine if additional testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function or the structure of the person. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible such as cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities and others are not as evident, 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 by newborn screening tests which are designed to detect certain health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects are the result of a doctor failing to take appropriate measures to stop or treat a recognizable medical condition. In these situations the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect has been discovered, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the problem. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require surgery or medical intervention after the baby is born.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. due to missing or additional genes in a person's cells. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. These birth defects are caused by issues with the baby's organ development particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be carried out via ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo a genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are prone to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some birth defects result from complications that happen during pregnancy, whereas other can be traced to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are also due to chemicals that are found in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Thankfully most birth defects can be prevented. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate can assist you in understanding the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the exceptional service we provide to our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can focus on yourself, your child, and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages in certain circumstances as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible result.

Drug makers are required to adequately test their products before putting them on market and warn consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you can start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the help of a birth defect lawsuits defect lawyer.