Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and quarter minutes. These defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of those affected.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases could result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect or injury it can have serious health consequences for the child for life. Birth defects are often caused by medical error or medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defects can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other cases they may result from environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, including uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a lack oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that are passed down through families. They can be identified by an ultrasound test or a blood test. Certain of these diseases are treatable or preventable, such as PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Some birth defects are not known to be the cause. They are called congenital disorders or congenital abnormalities.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are more at risk of chance of developing birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic disorders might consider consulting an expert in genetics prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo additional tests. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can alter organ function or the structure of a person. Birth defects can be spotted by a doctor during pregnancy, at birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects, such as palates, lips, or craniofacial abnormalities, are obvious. Others are not as obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct, which transports the bile to the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are identified by newborn screening tests that look for some kinds of health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defect law firm defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It may not always be it possible to pinpoint the cause of birth defects, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defect lawsuit defects happen because a physician failed to make the necessary steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect differ based on its severity and type. Certain birth defect attorney defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby 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. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips or neural tube defects and heart problems. They are typically caused by problems during the development of the baby's organs, specifically during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy, or after birth. They can also be performed later in life if symptoms begin to show. These tests can be carried out by ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an inherited test for birth defects in order to determine if they are predisposed to a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, birth defect attorney whereas other can be linked to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. Certain birth defects may be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. This includes pesticides and herbalicides 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 remain a tragic fact. Thankfully many birth defects are preventable. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may be due to the negligence of medical professionals. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice lawyer will help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling wrongful birth cases. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice and we are proud on the quality of service we offer to our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, yourself and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages, in some cases as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the highest possible outcome.

Drug manufacturers are expected to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on market and warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If, however your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may start a lawsuit based on product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.