Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and a half minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.

Different ways in which cases are identified and classified could lead to an over- or under-ascertainment of certain types of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system employs active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with a defect or injury can cause long-term health issues. Birth defects are often the result of an error in medical care or a doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defect is prevented by the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In some cases birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy like uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that are passed down through families. These can be identified with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses can be treated or prevented by a doctor, for example PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Some birth defects are not recognized to be the cause. They are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases may wish to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to conceive. 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 could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any part of the body, affecting the way that organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be spotted by a healthcare provider during the pregnancy process, at birth, or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible, like cleft lips and palates or craniofacial anomalies and others are not as evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be detected by newborn screening tests which check for specific health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It is not always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often associated with. This can be due to exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, chemical substances contaminating water and air in communities or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are the result because a physician failed to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these instances it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a birth defect vary depending on the severity and nature of the defect. Some birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention following the birth of the baby.

A few of the most common problems are chromosomal. They are caused by extra or missing genes within cells of a person. They usually come from the parents. Structural Birth Defect Law Firms defects are things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. These defects are caused due to issues with the development of organs in the baby, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be done during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later on in life when symptoms begin to appear. The tests can be carried out by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some birth defects result from complications that arise during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could lead to birth defects. Certain birth defects could be linked to chemicals found in the environment. This includes pesticides and herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medical science, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Fortunately most birth defects can be avoided. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate will help you understand the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have many years of experience in settling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice, and we take pride on the exceptional service we offer to our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

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

Drug makers are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on the market and to warn consumers of possible adverse reactions. If your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you could make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.