Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and five minutes, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects can impact the lives of those who are affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases could result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. 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 injuries or defects could be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects can result from a medical error or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In other cases, they can be the result of environmental factors such as exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus or rupture of the amniotic sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the foetus.

Some birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that run in families. These can be detected by the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Certain of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities have an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic disorders may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. This will help them determine if further testing is needed. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can affect organ function or the structure of the person. birth defect law firms defects can be identified by a healthcare provider during pregnancy, during birth or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips or palates or craniofacial anomalies however others are more obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect issues can be detected through newborn screening tests that check for specific health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be detected by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the condition.

It isn't always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However the environment is often implicated. This can include exposures to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating the air and birth defect attorneys water in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or birth. Other times, birth defects are caused by a medical professional failing to take appropriate measures to avoid or treat a medical condition. In these cases, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect can vary based on the severity and type. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, due to missing or additional genes in a person's cells. They usually come from parents. The most common structural defects are cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart problems. These birth defects are caused by issues with the baby's organ development particularly in the initial three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be performed during pregnancy, or after birth. They can also be done later in life if symptoms begin to manifest. These tests are conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take genetic tests for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Certain birth defects result from complications that happen during pregnancy, whereas others can be traced back to environmental factors. birth defect Attorneys defects may be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects may be linked to chemicals found in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical technology, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Thankfully most birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child who has a birth defect that may be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an skilled lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with cases of wrongful birth. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and are proud of the quality of service we provide to our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on your child and your entire family.

We can assist you in pursuing compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages in certain circumstances as well as emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and then work to ensure the best possible outcome for your family.

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them to the market, and also warn customers about any possible side consequences. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you could start a lawsuit based on product liability with the help of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.