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 who are affected for the rest of their lives.

Different classifications and types of cases can result in an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of 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 cause long-term health issues. Birth defects are often the result of an error in medicine or a doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defects can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In some instances birth defects, they can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, including uterine constraint rupture of the amniotic sac, or the inability to supply oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defect attorneys defects are the result of genetic disorders that run in families. They can be detected with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses are treatable or preventable like PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Certain birth defects aren't known to be the cause. They are known as congenital disorders, or congenital anomalies.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are more at risk of risk of birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illnesses might want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. This can help couples decide if they need to undergo additional tests. Screening tests for newborns are able to determine certain conditions, like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part which affects the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be detected by a healthcare provider during pregnancy, during birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies while others are less conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified through newborn screening tests, which look for certain health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be identified by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the defect.

It isn't always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However environmental factors are frequently involved. This can be due to exposure to prescription or non-prescription medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water in communities or a problem during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects arise due to a medical professional failing to take the appropriate steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these cases, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

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

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are often inherited from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips and neural tube defects and heart problems. These defects are caused due to issues with the development of the baby's organs particularly in the initial three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy, or following birth. They may also be conducted later in life if signs start to appear. These tests can be performed via ultrasounds and blood tests. The patient can also undergo an genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some are due to complications that arise during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, Birth Defect lawyers drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could lead to birth defects. Certain birth defects are due to chemicals that are present in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science, birth injuries and defects continue to be a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has many years of experience handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take pride in the quality of service we provide our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages in certain circumstances as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing their products to the public, and they must inform customers about any possible side effects. If your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.