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 a lifetime.

Differences in how cases are identified and classified could lead to over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect or injury, it can have serious health effects on the child's life. Birth defects are often caused by an error in medical care or a medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defect is prevented by taking care of your baby and eating well. In other cases, they can result from environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins. Birth Defect Attorneys defects can also be the result of complications that arise during pregnancy, including the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac, or the inability to supply oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These can be diagnosed with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, Birth defect Attorneys can be treated or prevented. Certain birth defects aren't known to be the cause. They are referred to as congenital disorders, also known as congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of having birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic illnesses may consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to get pregnant. This will help them determine if further testing is needed. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections that can be treated as soon as they are identified.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any part of the body and can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or even during early childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious like cleft lips or craniofacial anomalies or palates and others are not as noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected by newborn screening tests which are designed to detect certain health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, depending on the defect.

It may not always be it possible to pinpoint the cause of the birth defect, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This may include exposure to prescription or non-prescription medicines, chemical substances that pollute water and air in communities or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes birth defects may be due to a physician not taking the proper steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical disease. In these cases the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

When a birth defect is identified, the options for treatment vary depending on the type and severity of the problem. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born, while others may require surgery or other medical interventions after the baby is born.

Most of the most prevalent issues are the chromosomal. They are caused by missing or excess genes that are present in cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart issues. These birth defects are caused by problems with the baby's organ development particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy, or after birth. They can also be performed later in life if signs begin to show. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some are due to issues that occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. Birth defects are often caused by the usage of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are caused by certain chemicals that are found in the surrounding environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advancements in medicine birth injuries and defects remain a tragic fact. Fortunately, many birth defects are preventable. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect may be due to the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice lawyer will help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of expert birth defect attorneys defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases of wrongful birth. We are a plaintiffs-only company and are proud of the quality of service we offer our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in some instances as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and work diligently to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Manufacturers of drugs are required to test their products thoroughly 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 may be able to file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.