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 impact the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can lead to an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect could be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects are often the result of a medical mistake or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defect can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In some instances birth defects, they can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth problems can be caused by complications in pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus or rupture of amniotic fluid's sac or a lack of oxygen in the foetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that are passed down through families. They can be detected through an ultrasound test or a blood test. Certain illnesses can be prevented or treated, such as PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and cleft palate. Some birth defects aren't known to have a cause. They are referred to as congenital disorders, or congenital abnormalities.

Women who are over 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic disorders might want to talk to a genetic counselor birth defect lawyers prior to get pregnant. This can help couples determine if they need to undergo additional testing. Screening tests for newborns can be used to detect certain conditions like critical congenital defects and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

birth defect attorneys defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function, or the structure of a person. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable such as cleft lips and palates or craniofacial anomalies and others are not as noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are detected through newborn screening tests which look for specific health issues. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. A doctor can detect some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It's not always certain what caused birth defects, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This can include exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, chemical substances contaminating water and air in communities or a problem during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a doctor did not take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent an existing medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a birth defect vary depending on its severity and type. Some of them can be fixed before the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical interventions following the birth of the child.

A few of the most common issues are chromosomal. These are caused by missing or excess genes in a person’s cells. These are typically passed down from parents. The most common structural defects are cleft lips and neural tube defects and heart issues. They are usually caused by problems during the development of a baby's body organs, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy or after birth. They can also be performed later in life if symptoms begin to manifest. These tests can be performed via ultrasounds and blood tests. One can also take an genetic test for birth defects to see if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some are due to complications that happen during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to environmental elements. Birth defects can be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are also caused by certain chemicals that can be found in the natural environment, including pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine birth injuries and defects are an unsettling fact. Fortunately the majority of birth defects are preventable. If you have a child with a birth defect that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases of wrongful birth. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice, and we take pride on the excellent service we offer to our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can focus on your child, yourself and your entire family.

We can help you seek compensation for your losses, which could include the future and past medical costs as well as lost income, punitive damages in certain instances as well as emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them onto the market, and also warn consumers about any possible adverse effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you can start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.