Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Different classifications and identifiers of cases could result in an under- or overestimated number 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, injury or other it can cause serious health problems for the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects can result from an error in medicine or the negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and good nutrition. In other instances they may be the result of environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, including uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic diseases that run in families. They can be detected through an ultrasound test or a blood test. Some of these illnesses like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no origin and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities have a higher chance of developing birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic diseases might want to consult a genetic counselor prior to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they require further tests. Newborn screening tests are able to identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect attorney defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any part of the body which affects the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be identified by a medical professional during pregnancy, during birth or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, such as palates, lips or craniofacial irregularities are apparent. Others, however, aren't as obvious as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile to the liver).

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests which look for certain health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic illnesses such as Down syndrome. A doctor can detect certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It is not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually implicated. This could include exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, chemical substances that can contaminate water and air in communities, or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a doctor did not take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent an illness that is known to be medically prone. In these instances medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect can vary based on the severity and type of birth defect. Some of them can be fixed before the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

A few of the most common disorders are the chromosomal. They are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes in a person’s cells. These are usually inherited from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found or neural tube defects and heart problems. These problems are caused by problems with the development of organs in the baby particularly in the initial three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests are performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They can also be performed later in life if signs begin to show. These tests can be done via ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo a genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are predisposed to a specific condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some are due to issues that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced to certain environmental elements. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy may result in birth defects. Certain birth defects could be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical technology, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Fortunately many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child suffering from a birth defect that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's crucial to consult an experienced lawyer as quickly as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can help you understand the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling cases of wrongful birth. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice and we are proud on the high level of service we offer to our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you, and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for damages including future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages when necessary and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug makers must thoroughly test their products before releasing their products to the market, and also warn consumers of any possible side negative effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.