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 the rest of their lives.

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

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may have long-term health effects. Birth defects can be caused by medical errors or negligence of the doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defects can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In some instances birth defects may be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or birth defect attorneys toxins. birth Defect Attorneys defects can be caused by complications during pregnancy, like uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a lack of oxygen in the foetus.

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that run in families. These can be identified with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no known reason and are classified as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are older than 30 and are of certain ethnicities have a higher chance of having birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases might want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to conceive. This can aid them in determining if further testing is needed. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, which are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part and can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies, are apparent. Other birth defects, however, are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct which carries bile to the liver).

Many birth defect law firms defect issues can be identified through newborn screening tests which look for some kinds of health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A doctor can detect certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. These include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the air and water in communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects arise because a physician failed to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent a known medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect are based on its severity and type. Some can be corrected before the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical interventions after the baby is born.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They are typically passed down from the parents. These include cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart issues. They are usually caused by issues with the development of a baby's organs and tissues, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later on in life, when symptoms begin to appear. The tests can be carried out via ultrasounds and birth defect attorneys blood tests. A person can have a genetic test for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to a specific condition.

It is not always simple to avoid birth defects. Some birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, while other are linked to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. 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 as well as injuries are still a devastating reality. Many birth defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling wrongful birth cases. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and are proud of the quality of service we provide to our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, and your family.

We can help you pursue damages, which include past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages, in some cases, and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the highest possible outcome.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to test their products thoroughly before putting them on the market and to inform consumers of possible adverse reactions. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a prescription drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.