Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects can have a lasting effect on the lives of those affected.

Different ways in which cases are identified and classified can lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could cause long-term health issues. Birth defects are usually caused by a medical mistake or a doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In some instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that occur during pregnancy like the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac, or the inability to supply oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases which run in families. These can be detected by a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these ailments are treatable or preventable by a doctor, for example PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may wish to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help them determine if further testing is needed. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, like 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 impact organ function or the structure of a person. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born, or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips or craniofacial anomalies or palates 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 are designed to detect certain health issues. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It may not always be it possible to pinpoint the cause of birth defects, 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 the birth. Sometimes, birth defects are due to a physician failing to take appropriate measures to prevent or treat a known medical health condition. In these cases medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect vary depending on the severity and type. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby's birth.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. caused by missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. These birth defects are caused by problems with the development of organs in the baby, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be done via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo an inherited test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, while other can be linked to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could result in birth defects. Some birth defects are also caused by certain chemicals that are present in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Fortunately many birth defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable will help you understand the legal options available to you and pursue compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take pride in the level of service that we provide 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 obtaining compensation for damages, including future and past medical expenses as well as lost income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research the case and work diligently to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Manufacturers of drugs are required to test their products thoroughly before putting them on the market and to inform consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.