Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and quarter minutes. These birth defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.

The way that cases are identified and classified can result in an over- or under-ascertainment of certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed system incorporates active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could cause long-term health issues. Birth defects can result from a medical error or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defect Attorneys defects can be avoided by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In some cases birth defects, they can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, including constriction of the uterus, rupture the sac of amniotic fluid or a lack oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that run in families. These can be detected by an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these ailments can be treated or prevented like PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Some birth defects are not known to have a cause. They are known as congenital disorders, or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of developing birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic disorders may consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This will help couples determine if they need to undergo additional tests. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of the individual. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects, like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies, are visible. Others, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports bile to the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are detected through newborn screening tests that check for a variety of health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be diagnosed by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the type of defect.

It is not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are frequently implicated. This may include exposure to prescription or over-the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water in communities or complications during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a physician failed to take the proper steps to treat or prevent a known medical condition. In these cases, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is identified, the options for treatment vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention following the birth of the baby.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are typically passed down from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found or neural tube defects and heart problems. These defects are caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs particularly in the initial three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later on in life when the first signs begin to appear. The tests can be conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo a genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular ailment.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some are caused by complications that occur during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to certain environmental elements. Birth defects may be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are linked to certain chemicals that are present in the surrounding environment, including pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects are an unfortunate fact. Fortunately, many birth defects are preventable. If you have a child that has an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can help you comprehend your legal options and pursue compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers have many years of experience in settling the claims of wrongful birth. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take pride in the quality of service we offer our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, yourself and your entire family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages when necessary, and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the highest possible outcome.

Manufacturers of drugs are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on market and to inform consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If, however your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may be able to start a lawsuit based on product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawsuits defects lawyer for drugs.