Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

The way that cases are classified and identified could lead to over- or under-ascertainment of certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects are usually the result of an error in medicine or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defects can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other cases they may result from environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may be the result of complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus, rupture amniotic fluid's sac or a lack oxygen to the fetus.

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic diseases that run in families. These are easily detected with the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of developing birth defects. Couples who have 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'll need further tests. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function or the structure of the individual. Birth defects can be detected by a medical professional during pregnancy, at birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects, like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies, are apparent. Others are less obvious, such as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that transports an influx of bile to the liver).

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests which look for certain 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 also looks for certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the condition.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are frequently involved. 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 occur due to a medical professional failing to take the proper steps to treat or prevent a known medical condition. In these instances the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect differ based on the severity and type of birth defect. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the birth defect attorney of a baby, while others may require surgery or other medical interventions after the baby is born.

A few of the most common issues are the chromosomal. These are caused by extra or missing genes within cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lips and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. They are typically caused by problems with the growth of the baby's organs and tissues, particularly during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be done during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later in life when symptoms start to appear. The tests can be carried out via ultrasounds and birth defect blood tests. A person can have a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some are caused by complications that happen during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects are often caused by the use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can also be related to chemicals that are found in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries remain a tragic fact. Thankfully most birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child who has a birth defect lawsuits defect that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and pursue compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling cases of wrongful birth. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and are proud of the quality of service we provide our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you and your entire family.

We can assist you in pursuing compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages, in some cases as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family receives the highest possible outcome.

Drug makers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them to the market, and warn consumers about any possible adverse negative effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may be able to start a lawsuit based on product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.