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 impact the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and identifications of cases may result in an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment that includes medical record abstraction and clinical review in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If a baby is born with a defect or injury, it can have serious health consequences for the child's life. Birth defects are often caused by an error in medicine or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In certain instances birth defects can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that arise during pregnancy, including constriction of the uterus rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

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

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases may wish to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to have a baby. This will help couples determine whether they should undergo additional testing. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, which can be treated as soon as they are identified.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can affect organ function or the structure of the person. Birth defects can be identified by a doctor during pregnancy, during birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates or craniofacial irregularities are easily visible. Others are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect issues can be identified by newborn screening tests that check for specific health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can easily be identified by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the condition.

It's not always certain what caused birth defects, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This may include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water of communities or complications during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes birth defects may be caused by a doctor failing to take appropriate measures to stop or treat a recognizable medical problem. In these instances medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a birth defect can vary based on the severity and nature of the defect. Some can be corrected before the birth of a baby, while others may require surgery or other medical interventions after the baby is born.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They are usually passed down from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. These are usually caused by problems during the development of the baby's organs, specifically in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests may be performed during pregnancy, or following birth. They can also be done later in life, if symptoms begin to show. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. One can undergo genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to a particular disease.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some kenton birth defect law firm defects are caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, while other can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are also linked to certain chemicals that can be found in the environment, Vimeo such as pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child who has an issue with their birth that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to talk to an expert lawyer as soon as you can. An empathetic 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 skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with legal claims involving birth defects that are wrongful. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice and we pride ourselves on the high level of service we offer our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages in some instances and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.

Drug manufacturers are expected to adequately test their products before putting them on the market and warn consumers of possible adverse reactions. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect lawyer.