Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and five minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of those affected.

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

Causes

A baby born with a defect or injury can have long-term health effects. Birth defects are often caused by an error in medicine or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

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

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These can be detected by a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these ailments can be prevented or treated like PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no known cause and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities have an increased risk for some birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illnesses might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo further testing. Screening tests for newborns are able to identify certain conditions, such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can impact organ function or the structure of the person. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or even during early childhood. Some birth defects, like palates, lips or craniofacial irregularities are obvious. Some, however, are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries bile to the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests, that look for specific health issues. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease are just a few of the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to identify genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It may not always be certain what caused the scotts valley birth defect lawyer defect, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This may include exposure to prescription or non-prescription drugs, chemical substances that contaminate water and air in communities or a problem during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects are the result because a doctor failed to take the appropriate steps to prevent or treat an existing medical condition. In these cases there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for birth defect a diagnosed birth defect differ based on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They usually come from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. These are typically caused by issues with the development of a baby's organs and tissues, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy or after birth. They are also able to be done later in life if signs begin to manifest. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds and blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

It's not always easy to avoid birth defects. Some are caused by complications that happen during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to specific environmental elements. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Some birth defects are due to chemicals that can be found in the environment, including pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries are still a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be avoided. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect the birth defect could be the result of the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable will help you understand the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in settling the claims of wrongful birth. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take pride in the quality of service we provide to our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on yourself, your child and your entire family.

We can help you obtain compensation for your losses, which could include the future and past medical costs, lost income, punitive damages in certain instances as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the situation and work hard to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing their products to the public, and they must inform consumers of any possible side negative effects. If, however your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug, you could make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.