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

Different classifications and identifiers of cases may result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defect law firm defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and a clinical review in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may have long-term health consequences. Birth defects are usually caused by a medical mistake or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be prevented by taking care of your baby and eating well. In some instances birth defects can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth problems can be caused by complications in pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus, rupture of amniotic fluid's sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the foetus.

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or ultrasound. Certain illnesses can be treated or prevented by a doctor, for example PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at a higher chance of developing birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic diseases might want to consult an expert in genetics prior to trying to become pregnant. This can help couples decide if they need to undergo additional tests. Screening tests for newborns are able to determine certain conditions, such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can alter organ function or the structure of a person. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious like cleft lips, craniofacial anomalies or palates and others are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for specific health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A doctor can detect certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often involved. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are the result due to a medical professional failing to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent a known medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect are based on its severity and type. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

Most of the most prevalent defects are chromosomal. They are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes that are present in cells of a person. They are typically passed down from parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lips and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. These are typically caused by problems during the growth of the baby's organs and tissues, particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests may be performed during pregnancy, or after birth. They are also able to be done later in life, if symptoms start to appear. These tests can be performed via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo genetic tests for birth defects to see if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some are due to issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects are often caused by the use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are caused by certain chemicals that can be found in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine birth injuries and birth defect lawyers defects persist as an unsettling fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child that has a birth defect law firms defect that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to speak to an expert lawyer as soon as possible. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases of wrongful birth. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and are proud of the level of service that we provide our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on your child, yourself, and your family.

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

Drug manufacturers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them onto the market, and also warn consumers about any potential side consequences. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer.