Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Different classifications and identifiers of cases could result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case assessment, including medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

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

In some cases, birth defect can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other cases they may be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects are also caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, such as the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac, or a lack of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses which run in families. These are easily detected with an ultrasound or blood test. Certain of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic diseases might want to consult a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This can help them determine if additional testing is needed. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part, affecting the way that organs function or the structure of the body. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born or in early childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable like cleft lips or craniofacial abnormalities however others are more evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be identified by newborn screening tests which look for some kinds of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify 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 source of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often associated with. This can include exposure to prescription or non-prescription medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water in communities, or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes birth defects may be caused by a doctor not taking the proper steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical disease. In these cases medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed lititz birth defect lawsuit defect vary depending on its severity and type. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born, while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

The most frequent issues are chromosomal. They are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes within cells of a person. They are typically passed down from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. These are usually caused by issues during the development of a baby's organs, specifically during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later in life, when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be performed via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some birth defects result from complications that can occur during pregnancy, while others are linked to environmental factors. Birth defects are often caused by the use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can also be related to chemicals that can be found in the surrounding environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries are still a devastating reality. Thankfully the majority of birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child that has an issue with their birth that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an skilled lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer will help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of highly experienced Bay City Birth Defect Lawsuit defect lawyers has years of experience handling wrongful birth claims. We are a plaintiffs-only company and take great pride in the level of service that we provide to our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can focus on your child, yourself and your family.

We can assist you in pursuing compensation for damages such as past and future medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages in certain circumstances, and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work hard to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Drug makers are required to thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market and warn consumers of potential side effects. If, however your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug, you could bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.