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 those affected.

Different classifications and identifications of cases can result in an under- or overestimated number 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

If a baby is born with a defect or injury, it could have serious health effects on the child for life. Birth defects can be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of a doctor during pregnancy.

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

Some birth defects result from genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These are easily detected with the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Some of these illnesses like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no known reason and are classified as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of having birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illness might want to talk to a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they'll need further tests. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as 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 impact the way organs function, or the structure of a person. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born or in early childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable, like cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities and others are not as noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be identified by newborn screening tests which look for Birth defect certain types of health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic illnesses such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be diagnosed by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the defect.

It's not always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However the environment is often involved. This may include exposure to prescription or over-the counter drugs, chemical substances that contaminate water and air in communities, or complications 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 an existing medical condition. In these instances it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is identified, the options for treatment vary depending on the type and severity of the defect. Some can be corrected before the birth of a baby, while others might require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.

A few of the most common problems are chromosomal. These are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes within cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips or neural tube defects and heart problems. These problems are caused by issues with the baby's organ development particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later in life when the first signs begin to appear. These tests are conducted by ultrasounds or Birth Defect blood tests. One can also take an genetic test for birth defect law firms defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a specific condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Certain birth defects result from complications that happen during pregnancy, whereas others can be traced to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. Some birth defects can also be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. These include pesticides and herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that the birth defect could have been caused due to the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling wrongful birth claims. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice and we pride ourselves on the exceptional service we offer to our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on yourself, your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages in certain circumstances and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible outcome.

Drug makers must thoroughly test their products before releasing their products to the market, and inform consumers about any potential side effects. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a prescription drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.