Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases could result in an over- or underestimated 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

When a baby is born with a defect or injury it can cause serious health issues for the child's life. Birth defects are often caused by medical error or negligent doctor during pregnancy.

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

Some birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These are easily detected with a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Some birth defects are not recognized to be the cause. They are called congenital disorders, also known as congenital anomalies.

Women who are older than 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illness might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. This can help couples decide if they need to undergo additional tests. Newborn screening tests are able to determine certain conditions, such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part which can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be spotted by a doctor during pregnancy, at birth or in early childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, like cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities however others are more conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests that look for specific health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic illnesses such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can easily be identified by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the condition.

It may not always be possible to know what caused birth defects, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or non-prescription drugs, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities, or complications during pregnancy or Sandy Birth Defect Lawsuit. Sometimes birth defects could be caused by a medical professional not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these instances medical malpractice claims could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect are based on the severity and type. Some of them can be fixed before the baby is born, while others might require surgery or other medical procedures following the birth of the child.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They usually come from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found, neural tube defects, and heart issues. These problems are caused by problems with the development of organs in the baby especially in the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for brookfield birth defect lawsuit defects can be done during pregnancy, after a baby is born or later in life when symptoms begin to appear. The tests can be carried out through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed towards a particular condition.

It's not always easy 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 tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Certain birth defects may be caused by chemicals that are found in the environment. These include pesticides and herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may be the result of the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of highly experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take pride in the quality of service we offer our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, yourself and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages, including the future and past medical costs as well as lost income, damages for punitive in certain circumstances as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and then work to ensure the best possible outcome for your family.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to adequately test their products before putting them on market and warn consumers of possible adverse reactions. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.