Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and five minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These defects can alter the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

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

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects can result from medical errors or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be prevented by the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In some instances birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy like uterine constraint rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic diseases which run in families. They can be identified by an ultrasound test or a blood test. Some of these illnesses are treatable or preventable with the help of a specialist, such as PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women who are older than 30 and those of certain ethnicities have an increased risk for some birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic diseases may want to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to conceive. This will help them determine if additional testing is required. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part and can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be detected by a healthcare provider during pregnancy, before birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects, like palates, lips or craniofacial anomalies, are easily visible. Others aren't as obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed through newborn screening tests, that look for specific 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 diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It may not always be possible to determine the cause of the birth defect, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This could include 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 defects occur due to a medical professional failing to take the proper steps to treat or prevent a known medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice claims could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect can vary based on its severity and type. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the baby is born.

Many of the most common Liberty Lake Birth Defect Lawsuit defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and Tuscola Birth Defect Lawsuit heart issues. These defects are caused due to issues with the development of the baby's organs particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born, or later on in life when the first signs begin to appear. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds and blood tests. One can also take a genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are prone to a particular condition.

It is not always simple to avoid birth defects. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, whereas other can be traced back to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could result in birth defects. Certain birth defects are caused by certain chemicals that are present in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries are still a devastating reality. Many birth defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of highly experienced birth defect lawyers have many years of experience in settling the claims of wrongful birth. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the exceptional service we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for damages, such as past and future medical costs as well as lost income, punitive damages in certain instances as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Drug makers are required to adequately test their products before putting them on market and warn consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If the birth defect lawsuit defects of your child resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.