Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Differences in how cases are identified and classified can result in an over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes 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 injuries or defects could be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects are usually caused by medical error or mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In certain instances, birth defects can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects are also caused by complications that occur during pregnancy such as constriction of the uterus rupture of the amniotic sac or the inability to supply oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that are passed down through families. They can be identified by an ultrasound test or a blood test. Some of these illnesses like PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic diseases may consider seeing an expert in genetics prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they'll need further testing. Screening tests for newborns can reveal some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, which are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can alter the way organs function, or the structure of a person. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial disorders while others are less 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 through newborn screening tests, that look for specific health issues. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic conditions like Down syndrome. A doctor can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It's not always certain what caused birth defects, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the water and air in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or the birth. Other times, birth defects are the result of a doctor failing to take the appropriate measures to prevent or treat a recognized medical disease. In these situations there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

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

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart issues. These defects are caused by issues with the organ development of the baby, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a baby is born or later in life, when symptoms begin to show. The tests can be conducted via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have a genetic test for birth defects in order to determine if they are predisposed to a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, while other can be traced to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may result in birth defects. Some birth defects are also due to chemicals that can be found in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Fortunately the majority of birth defects are preventable. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defect attorney defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can help you comprehend the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience dealing with cases of birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice, and we take pride on the high level of service we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can assist you in obtaining compensation for damages, including past and future medical costs loss of income, punitive damage in some cases and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research the situation and work hard to ensure that your family receives the highest possible result.

Drug makers are required to test their products thoroughly prior to releasing them onto the market and to warn consumers of potential side effects. If, however your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug, you could bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defects drug lawyer.