Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and quarter minutes. These defects can have a lasting effect on the lives of the affected.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases could result in an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect or injury it could have serious health effects on the child's future. Birth defects can result from medical negligence or a mistake of doctors during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defect is prevented by prenatal care and good nutrition. In some cases birth defects may be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects are also caused by complications that occur during pregnancy such as uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac or the inability to supply oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that run in families. These can be diagnosed with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Some birth defects are not known to have a cause. They are known as congenital disorders, or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they'll need additional testing. Screening tests for newborns can be used to determine certain conditions, such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect Attorneys defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part which can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be detected by a medical professional during pregnancy, before birth or in the early stages of childhood. Certain birth defects, like palates, lips, or craniofacial abnormalities, are apparent. Other birth defects, birth defect attorneys however, aren't as obvious as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct, which transports the bile to the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be detected through newborn screening tests that check for some kinds of health issues. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic conditions like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It is not always possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are frequently implicated. This could include exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating the air and water of communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or birth defect attorneys delivery. Sometimes birth defects may be the result of a doctor not taking appropriate steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical problem. In these instances there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect vary depending on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention after the baby is born.

A few of the most common issues are chromosomal. They are caused by extra or missing genes in a person’s cells. These are often inherited from parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart problems. These defects are caused due to problems with the development of the baby's organs particularly in the initial three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later in life, when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be performed by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed towards a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some are caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced to certain environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are linked to certain chemicals that are present in the surrounding environment, including herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries are still a devastating reality. Many birth defects can be avoided. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect the birth defect could have been caused due to the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney will help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience dealing with cases of wrongful birth defect law firms. 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 damages, which include past and future medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages in some instances as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug manufacturers are expected to adequately test their products before releasing them on the market and warn consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.