Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can impact the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

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

Causes

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

In some cases, birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some cases birth defects can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications during pregnancy, including uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a lack of oxygen in the fetus.

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that run in families. They can be detected through a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these ailments like PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Some birth defects are not known to have a cause. They are called congenital disorders or congenital abnormalities.

Women who are older than 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities have an increased risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic diseases might want to talk to a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo additional testing. Screening tests for newborns can reveal some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can affect organ function or the structure of a person. Birth defects can be detected by a doctor during pregnancy, before birth or in the early stages of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious such as cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities however others are more conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look 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 conditions such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified 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, environmental factors are often implicated. This can include exposure to prescription or over-the counter drugs, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water in communities or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes birth defects could be caused by a doctor not taking the proper steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical health condition. In these situations there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is discovered, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the defect. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby's birth.

Most of the most prevalent problems are the chromosomal. These are caused by missing or excess genes that are present in cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart problems. They are typically caused by issues with the development of a baby's body organs, especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy or after birth. They can also be done later in life if signs start to appear. These tests are conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo an inherited test for birth defects in order to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

It's not always easy to avoid birth defects. Some are due to complications that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could result in birth defects. Some birth defects can be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries remain a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child with a birth defect that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it's crucial to consult an skilled lawyer as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.

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

We can help you obtain compensation for any damages, including future and past medical expenses loss of income, punitive damages in certain instances, and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing their products to the market, and also warn consumers about any potential side effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.