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 birth defect law firms defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of those affected.

Variations in the way cases are classified and identified can lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed system will include active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and clinical review in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with an injury or defect it could cause serious health problems for the child's life. Birth defects can result from a medical error or negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some cases birth defects may be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy like the uterine restriction, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the inability to supply oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. These are easily identified through a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no known cause and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of having birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic disorders may consider seeing an expert in genetics prior to trying to become pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they require additional tests. Screening tests for newborns can be used to detect certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of the person. Birth defects can be identified by a doctor during the pregnancy process, at birth, or birth defect Law firms even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips or palates, or craniofacial disorders and others are not as conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected by newborn screening tests, that look for specific health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic conditions like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the type of defect.

It may not always be possible to know what caused a birth defect, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This may include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water of communities or a problem during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects happen due to a medical professional failing to take the proper steps to prevent or treat an illness that is known to be medically prone. In these instances, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect are based on the severity and type. Some of them can be fixed before the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, resultant from the absence of or extra genes in a person's cells. They are usually passed down from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. These are usually caused by issues with the growth of the baby's organs, specifically during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be done during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later in life when the first signs begin to show. These tests are conducted via ultrasounds and blood tests. A person may also undergo an inherited test for birth defects to see whether they are predisposed to a certain condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Certain birth defects result from complications that happen during pregnancy, whereas other are linked to environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are also due to chemicals that are present in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine birth injuries and defects remain an unsettling fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate can assist you in understanding the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling cases of wrongful birth defect attorney. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we pride ourselves on the exceptional service we offer to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you obtain compensation for your losses, which could include the future and past medical costs as well as lost income, Birth Defect Law Firms damages for punitive purposes in certain cases, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Manufacturers of drugs are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on market, and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a prescription drug, you can make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer.