Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and a half minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can result in an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system employs active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with a defect or injury it could have serious health effects on the child's future. Birth defects are usually the result of medical error or mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defects can be avoided by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In other instances, they can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus, rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid or a deficiency of oxygen to the foetus.

Certain birth defects result from genetic diseases that run in families. These can be identified with a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these diseases can be prevented or treated, such as PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and palate. Some birth defects are not known to have a cause. They are referred to as congenital disorders, also known as congenital abnormalities.

Women over 30 and women of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of having birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. This can help couples decide if they need to undergo further tests. Screening tests for newborns are able to determine 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 a person. Birth defects can be spotted by a doctor during pregnancy, at birth or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates or craniofacial defects, are apparent. Some, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be detected through newborn screening tests which look for certain health problems. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle Cell Disease are among the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be diagnosed by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the condition.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of the birth defect lawyer defect, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes birth defects can be due to a physician failing to take appropriate measures to prevent or treat a known medical disease. In these instances medical malpractice claims could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect are based on the severity and type. Some can be corrected before the birth of a baby, while others may require surgery or other medical procedures following the birth of the child.

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 the parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart problems. They are typically caused by problems with the growth of the baby's body organs, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests may be performed during pregnancy, or after birth. They can also be done later in life if signs begin to show. These tests are conducted via ultrasounds and blood tests. The patient can also undergo an genetic test for birth defects in order to determine if they are predisposed to a particular ailment.

It is not always simple to avoid birth defect lawyer defects. Certain birth defects result from complications that occur during pregnancy, whereas others can be linked to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy could result in birth defects. Some birth defects can also be linked to chemicals found in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbalicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child with an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is crucial to consult an experienced lawyer as quickly as possible. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help you comprehend your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in settling the claims of wrongful birth. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take great pride in the quality of service we offer our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can assist you in obtaining compensation for your losses, which could include future and past medical expenses and lost income, as well as punitive damage in some cases as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible result.

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and warn consumers of any possible side consequences. If, however your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may be able to start a lawsuit based on product liability with the assistance of a birth defects drug lawyer.