Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

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

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect could have long-term health consequences. Birth defects can be caused by a medical error or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other cases, they can result from environmental factors such as exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxins. grafton birth defect lawyer defects can also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy like uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the inability to supply oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders which run in families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Some birth defects aren't known to have a cause. They are known as congenital conditions, or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and are of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases might want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to have a baby. This can help them determine if additional testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborns are able to identify certain conditions, Vimeo like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function or the structure of the person. Birth defects can be spotted by a healthcare provider during pregnancy, at birth or in early childhood. Certain birth defects, such as palates, lips or craniofacial defects, are visible. Others are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile to the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests, that look for specific health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be diagnosed by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the defect.

It is not always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However the environment is often implicated. This can include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water in communities or a problem during pregnancy or birth. Other times, birth defects are the result of a doctor not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a known medical problem. In these instances medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect are based on the severity and type of birth defect. Some birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others might require surgery or medical intervention following the birth of the baby.

Some of the most common issues are chromosomal. They are caused by missing or excess genes that are present in cells of a person. These are often inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. These defects are caused due to problems with the baby's organ development, particularly in the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests are performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They can also be done later in life, if symptoms begin to show. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. One can undergo genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some are caused by issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects may be linked to chemicals found in the environment. This includes 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 remain a tragic fact. Fortunately, many birth defects are preventable. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can help you comprehend your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has many years of experience handling wrongful gridley birth defect law firm cases. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we pride ourselves on the exceptional service we offer our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on your child, yourself and your entire family.

We can help you pursue damages, which include past and future medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages in certain circumstances and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research your case and then work to achieve the best result for your family.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to thoroughly test their products before putting them on the market, and to inform consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.