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 the rest of their lives.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can lead to an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with an injury or defect it could have serious health consequences for the child's life. Birth defects are usually the result of an error in medicine or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other instances they may result from environmental factors like exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus or Birth Defect Attorneys rupture of amniotic fluid's sac or a lack of oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that run in families. These are easily identified through a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these ailments, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Some birth defects are not known to be the cause. They are called congenital disorders, also known as congenital abnormalities.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of developing birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases may wish to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to have a baby. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo additional testing. Screening tests for newborns can help identify certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, Birth Defect Attorneys which can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part, affecting the way that organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be spotted by a healthcare provider during the pregnancy process, at birth, or even in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, like cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities and others are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests which check for specific health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. A doctor can detect some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It's not always easy to determine the root of a birth defect. However environmental factors are frequently implicated. This may include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water in communities, or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are the result because a doctor failed to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent an illness that is known to be medically prone. In these instances, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect vary depending on the severity and type of birth defect. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require medical intervention or surgery following the birth of the baby.

A few of the most common problems are chromosomal. They are caused by missing or extra genes in the cells of a person. These are typically passed down from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips or neural tube defects and heart problems. These are typically caused by problems with the growth of the baby's body organs, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests may be performed during pregnancy, or following birth. They can also be done later in life if symptoms begin to manifest. These tests can be done by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed towards a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some are caused by complications that arise during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced to certain environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can result in birth defect attorneys (Click That Link) defects. Some birth defects can also be caused by certain chemicals that are found in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects persist as a tragic reality. Fortunately the majority of birth defects are preventable. If you have a child that has an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to speak to an experienced lawyer as quickly as possible. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney will help you understand your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with the claims of wrongful birth. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take pride in the quality of service we provide to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages including past and future medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages when necessary and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Drug makers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market, and also warn consumers about any potential side consequences. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you may bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.