Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and an hour, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects can impact the lives of those who are affected for the rest of their lives.

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases can lead to an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system employs active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect or injury it could cause serious health problems for the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects are usually the result of a medical mistake or a medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defect can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In some instances birth defects may be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications in pregnancy, such as uterine constriction, rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid or a lack oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that run in families. They can be detected with a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these ailments, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Certain birth defects aren't recognized to be the cause. They are called congenital disorders, or congenital abnormalities.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of having birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic diseases may wish to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples decide if they need to undergo further testing. Newborn screening tests can identify some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that can be treated immediately.

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 individual. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born, or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible such as cleft lips and palates, or craniofacial disorders and others are not as noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be detected through newborn screening tests that check for some kinds of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always easy to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However the environment is often associated with. This may include exposure to prescription or non-prescription medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water of communities, or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes birth defect lawyer defects can be caused by a doctor failing to take appropriate measures to stop or treat a recognizable medical disease. In these cases, a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

When a birth defect is discovered, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some can be corrected before the baby is born, while others might require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.

Some of the most common defects are the chromosomal. These are caused by extra or missing genes in a person’s cells. They are typically inherited from the parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. They are typically caused by problems during the growth of the baby's organs and tissues, particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for Birth Defect Attorneys defects may be done during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later on in life, when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be performed via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo a genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are prone to a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some are due to complications that arise during pregnancy, while others can be traced to certain environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can be linked to chemicals found in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science birth injuries and defects are an unfortunate fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child that has an issue with their birth that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable 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 expert birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages when necessary, and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to ensure the best possible outcome for your family.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to test their products thoroughly before putting them on market, and to inform consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defects drug lawyer.