Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and quarter minutes. These defects can affect the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

Differences in how cases are classified and identified can result in over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with a defect or injury can cause long-term health issues. Birth defects are often the result of an error in medicine or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In other instances they may result from environmental factors such as exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a lack oxygen to the fetus.

Certain birth defects result from genetic diseases which run in families. These are easily detected with an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these illnesses can be prevented or treated like PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a reason and are classified as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and women of certain ethnicities are more at risk of risk of having birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic diseases might want to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they require additional testing. Screening tests for newborns can be used to identify certain conditions, like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can alter the way organs function, or the structure of the individual. Birth defects are often detected by a doctor during pregnancy, during birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable like cleft lips or craniofacial anomalies or palates, while others are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are detected through newborn screening tests that check for specific health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of the birth defect, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This may include exposure to prescription or over-the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating water and air in communities or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes birth defects could be caused by a medical professional not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect has been recognized, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the issue. Certain defects can be corrected prior to a baby is born, while others may require surgery or other medical interventions following the birth of the child.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from the parents. Structural defects include cleft lips and neural tube defects and heart problems. 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 can be conducted during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later in life when symptoms begin to show. The tests can be conducted via ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take an inherited test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are prone to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some are caused by complications that happen during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are due to chemicals that are present in the surrounding 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 remain a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that the birth defect could be due to the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases of wrongful birth. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the excellent service we offer to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages including past and future medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages, in some cases as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and warn consumers of any possible side negative effects. If your child's birth defect lawsuits defects resulted from a drug, you can start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.