Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and quarter minutes. These defects can affect the lives of those who are affected for the rest of their lives.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can lead to an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may have long-term health effects. Birth defects are usually caused by medical error or doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

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

Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders that run in families. These can be identified with a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects are not known to have a origin and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of having birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to conceive. This will aid them in determining if further testing is required. Screening tests for newborns can be used to detect certain conditions such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can impact organ function or the structure of the person. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, aspen birth defect lawyer like cleft lips and craniofacial anomalies or palates while others are less conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests, that look for specific health issues. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the condition.

It's not always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often associated with. This may include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water of communities, or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Other times birth defects could be caused by a medical professional not taking appropriate steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect are based on the severity and type. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the birth of a baby, while others may require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They are typically passed down from the parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found and neural tube defects and heart issues. They are usually caused by problems with the development of a baby's organs and tissues, particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

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

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some are due to complications that occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental elements. Birth defects can be caused by use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are caused by certain chemicals that are found in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, Yankton birth Defect Lawyer injuries and defects persist as an unfortunate fact. Fortunately many park ridge birth defect lawsuit defects are preventable. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate will help you understand the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of highly experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with legal claims involving birth defects that are wrongful. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and are proud of the level of service that we offer our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in obtaining compensation for damages, including future and past medical expenses as well as lost income, punitive damage in some cases as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and work hard to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug makers are required to adequately test their products before putting them on market and to inform consumers of possible adverse reactions. If, however your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you could make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.