Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and quarter minutes. These birth defects can impact the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

Variations in the way cases are classified and identified can result in an over- or under-ascertainment of certain types of birth defects. A well-designed system will include active case assessment, including medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect, injury or other it could cause serious health problems for the child for life. Birth defects are often caused by an error in medicine or a doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In other cases they may result from environmental factors like exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that occur during pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of 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. They can be detected through the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Certain of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Certain birth defects aren't identified as a cause. They are called congenital disorders or congenital abnormalities.

Women who are over 30 and of certain ethnicities have a higher chance of having birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they require further testing. Newborn screening tests can identify certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part which can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects are often detected by a doctor during pregnancy, during birth or in early childhood. Certain birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates or craniofacial irregularities are obvious. Other birth defects, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

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

It's not always possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often involved. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating air and water in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes birth defects can be due to a physician not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical problem. In these cases, a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is recognized, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the problem. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

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 usually come from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. These birth defects are caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy, or after birth. They may also be conducted later on in life when symptoms begin to manifest. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. A person could undergo genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular disease.

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

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects persist as an unfortunate fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child who has an anomaly in the birth process that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an skilled lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can assist you in understanding the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience dealing with cases of wrongful birth. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and are proud of the level of service that we provide to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you obtain compensation for damages, such as future and past medical expenses, lost income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them to the market, and inform consumers about any possible adverse consequences. If, however, your child's birth defect lawyer defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication you may be able to start a lawsuit based on product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.