Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Different ways in which cases are identified and classified can lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain types of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects can be caused by a medical error or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defects can be avoided by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In other instances they may be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus, rupture amniotic fluid's sac or a lack of oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases which run in families. They can be detected with a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, clarinda birth defect attorney can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women who are older than 30 and of certain ethnicities have an increased risk for some birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illnesses might consider consulting an expert in genetics prior to trying to get pregnant. This can aid them in determining if further testing is necessary. Newborn screening tests are able to detect certain conditions, like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

carlstadt birth defect attorney defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect organ function or the structure of a person. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or in early childhood. Certain mustang birth defect attorney defects are obvious like cleft lips or craniofacial anomalies or palates however others are more conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified through newborn screening tests that look for specific health problems. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always it possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This can be due to exposure to prescription or non-prescription drugs, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities or a problem during pregnancy or the birth. Other times birth defects may be due to a physician failing to take the appropriate measures to avoid or treat a medical disease. In these cases medical malpractice claims could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected marksville birth defect law firm defect are based on the severity and nature of the defect. 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.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are typically passed down from parents. The most common structural defects are cleft lips, neural tube defects, and heart problems. These defects are caused due to issues with the organ development of the baby especially in the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later in life when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be carried out via ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take an inherited test for birth defects in order to determine if they are predisposed to a certain condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some are caused by complications that arise during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to specific environmental elements. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy may result in birth defects. Certain birth defects may be linked to chemicals found in the environment. This includes pesticides and herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects persist as an unfortunate fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and are proud of the quality of service we provide our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on your child, you and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages in some instances as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and work diligently to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them to the market, and inform consumers about any possible adverse consequences. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.