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 defects can impact the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

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

Causes

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

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided through proper nutrition and prenatal care. In certain instances birth defects may be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects are also caused by complications that happen during pregnancy such as uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac, or a lack of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects result from genetic disorders which run in families. They can be detected through a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these diseases are treatable or preventable like PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and [Redirect-302] are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities are at an increased risk for some birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic disorders may consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help them determine if additional testing is required. Screening tests for newborns can be used to detect 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 alter organ function or the structure of a person. Birth defects are often detected by a medical professional during pregnancy, during birth or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial defects, are visible. Others, however, are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries an influx of bile to the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be identified by newborn screening tests that look for specific health issues. PKU 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 diseases such as Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It's not always possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually associated with. This can include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water in communities or a problem during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen due to a medical professional failing to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these instances medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect vary depending on the severity and nature of the defect. Some birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention following the birth of the baby.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal. due to missing or additional genes that are present in the cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. They are typically caused by issues during the growth of the baby's body organs, especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born, or later on in life when symptoms begin to show. The tests can be conducted via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have a genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are prone to a specific condition.

It's not always easy to avoid birth defects. Some birth defects result from complications that occur during pregnancy, whereas others can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects are often caused by the use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can also be caused by chemicals that are found in the environment. This includes pesticides and herbalicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries are still a devastating reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child with a birth defect that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it's essential to consult an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases of wrongful birth. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and are proud of the level of service that we provide to our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, yourself and your entire family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for any damages, including past and future medical costs as well as lost income, birth Defect lawyer damages for punitive in certain circumstances and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and then work to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to adequately test their products before putting them on the market and to warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.