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 defects can alter the lives of those who are affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and identifications of cases could result in an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system will include active case ascertainment that includes medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with a defect or injury, it could have serious health effects on the child for life. greencastle birth defect lawsuit defects could be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of the doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be avoided by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In other instances they may be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications during pregnancy, such as uterine constriction, rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid or a lack oxygen to the foetus.

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that are passed down through families. These are easily detected with an ultrasound test or a blood test. Some of these ailments can be prevented or treated, such as PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no cause and are known as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic disorders may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help them determine if further testing is needed. Newborn screening tests are able to identify certain conditions, like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can alter the way organs function or the structure of the person. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, like cleft lips and palates or craniofacial anomalies however others are more conspicuous 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 diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for specific 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 looks for certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often associated with. This can be due to exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, chemical substances that can contaminate water and air in communities, or complications during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a physician failed to take the proper steps to treat or prevent an illness that is known to be medically prone. In these cases medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect differ based on its severity and type. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention following the birth of the baby.

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

Screening tests can be performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They may also be conducted later in life if symptoms start to appear. The tests can be conducted via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed towards a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some are caused by issues that occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could result in smithfield birth defect lawyer defects. Some birth defects are also due to chemicals that can be found in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine birth injuries and defects remain a tragic fact. Thankfully many birth defects can be prevented. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect may be due to the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney will help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with wrongful birth cases. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we pride ourselves on the quality of service we offer to our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, yourself, and your family.

We can assist you in pursuing compensation for Vimeo.Com damages such as past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in certain circumstances and emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and work hard to ensure the best possible outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and inform consumers about any potential side consequences. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a prescription drug, you can start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the help of a birth defect lawyer.