Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and a quarter minutes. These birth defects can impact the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

Differences in how cases are identified and classified can result in either under or over-ascertaining certain types of birth defects. A well-designed system will include active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and a clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with an injury or defect it could cause serious health issues for the child's life. Birth defects can result from medical errors or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, Birth defect attorneys defects can be avoided by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some cases birth defects may be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus, rupture of amniotic fluid's sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the foetus.

Certain birth defects result from genetic diseases which run in families. These are easily detected with the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Some of these illnesses like PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Certain birth defects aren't identified as a cause. They are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital abnormalities.

Women over 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illnesses may consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they'll need further tests. Screening tests for newborns can be used to detect certain conditions like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can impact organ function or the structure of the person. Birth defects can be identified by a doctor during pregnancy, at birth or in early childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable, like cleft lips and palates, or craniofacial disorders while others are less conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected by newborn screening tests, which look for certain health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It's not always certain what caused the birth defect, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a physician failed to make the necessary steps to treat or prevent an illness that is known to be medically prone. In these instances medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is identified, the options for treatment differ based on the type and severity of the defect. Some can be corrected before the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are typically passed down from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips, neural tube defects, and heart issues. These defects are caused due to problems with the organ development of the baby particularly in the initial three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born, or later on in life when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be carried out through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some are due to complications that arise during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental elements. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Certain birth defects could be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. This includes pesticides and herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defect law firm defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Fortunately the majority of birth defects can be prevented. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect may be the result of the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable will help you understand the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take pride in the quality of service we provide to our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can focus on your child, yourself and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages, such as past and future medical costs and lost income, as well as damages for punitive purposes in certain cases as well as emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible outcome.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to test their products thoroughly prior to releasing them onto the market and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If your child's birth defect was caused by a drug, you could make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.