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 defects can alter the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

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

Causes

If a baby is born with a defect, injury or other it can have serious health consequences for the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects can result from a medical error or negligence of the doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be prevented through proper nutrition and prenatal care. In some cases birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can result from complications in pregnancy, such as uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the foetus.

Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders which run in families. These can be identified with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Some birth defects aren't recognized to be the cause. They are known as congenital disorders, or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 and are of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic disorders might want to talk to a genetic counselor prior to get pregnant. This will help couples determine if they need to undergo additional tests. Screening tests for newborns can be used to detect certain conditions, such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part and can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be identified by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, before birth or in the early stages of childhood. Certain birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial abnormalities, are visible. Other sheboygan falls birth defect lawyer defects, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are identified through newborn screening tests which 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 also looks for certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It isn't always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are frequently involved. This can 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 may be caused by a medical professional not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a known medical health condition. In these situations there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect has been discovered, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the defect. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby's birth.

Most of the most prevalent defects are chromosomal. These are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes that are present in cells of a person. They are typically inherited from the parents. The most common structural defects are cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart problems. These are usually caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs and tissues, particularly during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy, or after birth. They can also be performed later in life if signs begin to manifest. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo a genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are susceptible to a particular condition.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some malden birth defect Attorney defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, whereas other can be traced to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by the usage of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects may be linked to chemicals found in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science, birth injuries and defects are an unsettling fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect may be the result of the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice and we pride ourselves on the excellent service we offer our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can focus on your child, yourself and your entire family.

We can help you seek compensation for any damages, including the future and past medical costs loss of income, punitive damage in some cases, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.

Drug makers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them to the market, and inform consumers about any possible adverse negative effects. If, however your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug, you could file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.