Elgin Birth Defect Law Firm Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and a quarter minutes. These birth defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of those affected.

Variations in the way cases are classified and identified can lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case assessment, including medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could have long-term health consequences. Birth defects are often the result of medical error or negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defect can be avoided through taking care of your baby and eating well. In other instances, they can be the result of environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that occur during pregnancy such as the uterine restriction, rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these ailments can be prevented or treated with the help of a specialist, such as PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a origin and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are older than 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to have a baby. This will help couples determine if they need to undergo further testing. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that can be treated as soon as they are identified.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function or the structure of a person. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born or during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, like palates, lips or craniofacial irregularities are apparent. Some, however, are less obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct, which transports bile to the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified through newborn screening tests, which are designed to detect certain health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating air and water in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, oklahoma city birth defect lawyer defects occur because a doctor failed to take the appropriate steps to prevent or treat the occurrence of a medical condition. In these situations the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

If a birth defect is diagnosed, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the issue. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.

A few of the most common issues are the chromosomal. These are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes in a person’s cells. They are typically inherited from the parents. Structural defects include cleft lips, neural tube defects, and heart problems. These defects are caused by issues with the organ development of the baby particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later in life when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an inherited test for birth defects to see whether they are susceptible to a certain condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some are caused by issues that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to specific environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can result in birth defects. Some birth defects can be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine birth injuries and defects remain a tragic fact. Fortunately many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child who has a birth defect that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it's essential to consult an skilled lawyer as soon as possible. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with the claims of wrongful birth. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice, and we take pride on the high level of service we offer to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for damages such as past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages, in some cases and emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the highest possible result.

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them to the public, and they must inform consumers of any possible side negative effects. However, if your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defects drug lawyer.