Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and quarter minutes. These defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of those affected.

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases can result in an over- or underestimated 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 have long-term health consequences. Birth defects can be caused by an error in medicine or the negligence of the doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In other instances, they can be the result of environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or birth defects toxins. Birth defects are also caused by complications that arise during pregnancy like constriction of the uterus rupture of the amniotic sac or the inability to supply oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These can be identified with a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses are treatable or preventable like PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and palate. Some birth defects aren't identified as a cause. They are referred to as congenital conditions, or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are at a higher chance of developing birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic disorders might want to talk to a genetic counselor prior to get pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they'll need additional tests. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any part of the body which affects the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects are often detected by a healthcare professional during the pregnancy process, at birth, or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defect attorneys defects, such as cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies, are visible. Some, however, are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are identified through newborn screening tests that look for certain types of health problems. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A doctor can detect certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water of communities or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a doctor failed to take the proper steps to prevent or treat the occurrence of a medical condition. In these cases, a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect are based on the severity and type. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others might require surgery or medical intervention after the baby's birth.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. caused by missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. They are typically inherited from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips and neural tube defects and heart issues. They are typically caused by problems with the development of a baby's organs, particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests are performed during pregnancy or after birth. They are also able to be done later in life if signs begin to manifest. The tests can be conducted via ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an inherited test for birth defects to see whether they are susceptible to a particular ailment.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may cause birth defects. Certain birth defects could be attributed to chemicals that are present 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 science, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child suffering from an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's essential to consult an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer will help you understand your legal options and birth defects pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of highly experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling legal claims involving birth defects that are wrongful. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and are proud of the quality of service we offer our clients. We will 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 future and past medical expenses loss of income, damages for punitive in certain circumstances and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and will work tirelessly to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Drug makers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them to the market, and warn consumers about any potential side negative effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you can make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.