Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects can impact the lives of those who are affected for a lifetime.

Variations in the way cases are classified and identified can result in the over- or under-ascertainment certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and a clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could have long-term health effects. Birth defects could be caused by an error in medicine or the negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defects can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other cases they may 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, birth defect Attorneys such as uterine constraint rupture of the amniotic sac or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that are passed down through families. They can be identified by an ultrasound or blood test. Certain of these ailments, such as PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Some birth defects are not identified as a cause. They are called congenital disorders, also known as congenital anomalies.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are more at risk of chance of developing birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may wish to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to get pregnant. This will aid them in determining if further testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can alter the way organs function or the structure of a person. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, like cleft lips and craniofacial anomalies or palates while others are less conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect issues can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests that look for a variety of health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It is not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often associated with. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the water and air in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or birth. Other times, birth defects are the result of a doctor not taking the proper steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect can vary based on the severity and type of birth defect. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical interventions following the birth of the child.

The most frequent issues are chromosomal. They are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes within cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Birth Defect Attorneys defects with structural causes include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart problems. These birth defects are caused by issues with the development of the baby's organs, particularly in 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 by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to a specific condition.

It is not always simple to avoid birth defects. Some are caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to specific environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Certain birth defects could be linked to chemicals found in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science birth injuries and defects continue to be an unsettling fact. Thankfully many birth defects are preventable. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of highly experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling the claims of wrongful birth. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice and we are proud on the excellent service we provide to our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on your child and your entire family.

We can assist you in pursuing compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages in certain circumstances as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and will work tirelessly to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug makers are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on the market, and to inform consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you can start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the help of a birth defect lawyer.