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 birth defects can have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

The way that cases are identified and classified can result in the over- or under-ascertainment certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review as well as passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with an injury or defect it could cause serious health problems for the child's life. Birth defects are usually caused by an error in medical care or a doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defects can be avoided by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In certain instances, birth defects can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that occur during pregnancy like the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These are easily detected with a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these diseases can be treated or prevented by a doctor, for example PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no known reason and are classified as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic diseases might want to consult a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This will help them determine if further tests are required. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, which are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of the individual. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible such as cleft lips and craniofacial anomalies or palates while others are less conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified by newborn screening tests which are designed to detect certain health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always certain what caused birth defects, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This may include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating water and air in communities, or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a doctor failing to take the appropriate measures to stop or treat a recognizable medical disease. In these situations 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 problem. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention after the baby is born.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes in a person's cells. These are typically passed down from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. These birth defects are caused by problems with the baby's organ development particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born, or later in life when symptoms start to show. The tests can be conducted via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo an inherited test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Certain birth defects result from complications that happen during pregnancy, while other are linked to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may cause birth defects. Some birth defects are also caused by certain chemicals that are found in the environment, including pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Fortunately, many birth defects are preventable. It is crucial 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 understanding and compassionate can help you understand the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and are proud of the level of service that we offer our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can focus on your child and your entire family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for your losses, which could include past and future medical costs and lost income, birth defects as well as damages for punitive purposes in certain cases and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the situation and work hard to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market, and warn customers about any possible side negative effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer.