Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and a half minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These defects can affect the lives of those who are affected for the rest of their lives.

Different ways in which cases are identified and classified could lead to an over- or under-ascertainment of certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction 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 could be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of doctors during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defects can be avoided by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In other cases, they can be the result of environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus or rupture of amniotic fluid's sac or a lack of oxygen to the fetus.

Certain birth Defect attorneys defects are the result of genetic disorders that run in families. These can be identified with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these ailments can be treated or prevented like PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no known cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities have a higher chance of developing birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may want to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to get pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they require further testing. Newborn screening tests are able to identify certain conditions, like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can alter the way organs function or the structure of a person. Birth defects are often detected by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, at birth or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips or palates, or craniofacial disorders and others are not as noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests which check for specific health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be diagnosed by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests during 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 be due to exposure to prescription or over-the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water in communities or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects arise due to a medical professional failing to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent an existing medical condition. In these situations it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

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

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

Screening tests may be performed during pregnancy or after birth. They are also able to be done later in life, if symptoms begin to show. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo an genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a specific condition.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some are caused by issues that occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Some birth defects can also be related to chemicals that are present in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Thankfully the majority of birth defects are preventable. If you have a child that has an issue with their birth that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's crucial to consult an skilled lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate will help you understand the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the excellent service we offer to our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on yourself, your child and your entire family.

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

Drug manufacturers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and warn consumers about any possible adverse effects. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.