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 the affected.

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 surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

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

In some cases birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some cases, birth defects can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. birth defect attorney defects can also be caused by complications that occur during pregnancy like the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac, or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. These are easily identified through the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these diseases can be treated or prevented, such as PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities have an increased chance of having birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic diseases may want to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to have a baby. This can aid them in determining if further testing is necessary. Newborn screening tests are able to identify certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that could 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 individual. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born, birth defects or even during early childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies however others are more 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 diagnosed by newborn screening tests which look for certain health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It may not always be possible to know what caused birth defects, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects are due to a physician failing to take the appropriate measures 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 vary depending on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others might require medical intervention or surgery after the baby is born.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. due to missing or additional genes in a person's cells. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart issues. These birth defects are caused by problems with the development of organs in the baby especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born, or later on in life when the first signs begin to appear. The tests can be conducted via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have genetic tests for birth defects to determine whether they are predisposed to a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Certain birth defects result from complications that happen during pregnancy, whereas other can be linked to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could cause birth defects. Some birth defects are also linked to certain chemicals that can be found in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Thankfully 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 experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can help you comprehend the legal options available to you and pursue compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take great pride in the level of service that we provide our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, yourself and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages, such as the future and past medical costs and lost income, as well as punitive damages in certain instances and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the situation and work hard to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.

Drug manufacturers are expected to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on 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 make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.