Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and a quarter minutes. These defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

Different ways in which cases are classified and Birth Defect Attorneys identified could lead to over- or under-ascertainment of certain types of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with an injury or defect it can have serious health effects on the child's life. Birth defects can be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of the doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defect can be prevented by the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In other cases, they can result from environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy such as the uterine restriction, rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders which run in families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these diseases can be treated or prevented by a doctor, for example PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and cleft palate. Certain birth defects aren't known to be the cause. They are referred to as congenital disorders, also known as congenital anomalies.

Women who are older than 30 and of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic disorders might want to talk to a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they'll need further testing. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part and can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be spotted by a medical professional during the pregnancy process, at birth, or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips or craniofacial anomalies or palates and others are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are detected through newborn screening tests that check for some kinds of health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose certain birth defect lawsuit defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It isn't always possible to determine the root of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually involved. This can include exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, chemical substances that can contaminate water and air in communities, or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Other times, birth defects are due to a physician failing to take the appropriate measures to prevent or treat a recognized medical health condition. In these cases it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

If a birth defect is recognized, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the problem. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others might require medical intervention or surgery after the baby's birth.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are often inherited from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips or neural tube defects and heart problems. These defects are caused by issues with the baby's organ development especially in 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 signs start to appear. These tests can be conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some are due to complications that happen during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental elements. Birth defects can be caused by consumption of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects could be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defect attorneys - mouse click the up coming webpage - injuries and defects remain a tragic fact. Fortunately, many birth defects are preventable. If you have a child that has a birth defect law firm defect that may be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is essential to consult an expert lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable will help you understand the legal options available to you and pursue compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take great pride in the level of service that we provide our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

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

Manufacturers of drugs are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on market and warn consumers of potential side effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication you could file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defects drug lawyer.