Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

Differences in how cases are classified and identified can lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain subtypes of birth defect lawsuit defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect, injury or other it can cause serious health problems for the child's life. Birth defects can be caused by a medical error or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defect can be avoided through proper nutrition and prenatal care. In other instances they may be the result of environmental factors like exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications in pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus or rupture of amniotic fluid's sac or a lack of oxygen in the fetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that are passed down through families. They can be detected with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain illnesses can be treated or prevented with the help of a specialist, such as PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Certain birth defects aren't recognized to be the cause. They are called congenital conditions, or congenital anomalies.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illness might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to get pregnant. This will aid them in determining if further testing is needed. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect some conditions, such as critical congenital heart 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 impact organ function or the structure of a person. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or in early childhood. Some birth defects, like palates, lips or craniofacial anomalies, are obvious. Some, however, are less obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that transports bile to the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be identified by newborn screening tests that check for certain types of health issues. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be diagnosed by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect, however it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a medical professional not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical health condition. In these cases it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect differ based on the severity and nature of the defect. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

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

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a child is born or later in life when symptoms start to appear. The tests can be carried out via ultrasounds and blood tests. A person can also have an inherited test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a certain condition.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some are caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, while others can be traced to certain environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may result in birth defects. Some birth defects are also related to chemicals that are present in the environment, including 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 defects remain a tragic reality. Thankfully most birth defects can be prevented. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can assist you in understanding the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and are proud of the level of service that we provide our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages, in some cases and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and then work to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and inform consumers of any possible side consequences. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the help of a birth defect lawyer.