Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

The way that cases are classified and identified can lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain types of birth defect attorney defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with a defect, injury or other it can cause serious health problems for the child's future. Birth defects could be caused by medical errors or negligence of the doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defect lawsuit defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In other instances they could result from environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, including constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a lack of oxygen in the fetus.

Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders which run in families. These can be detected by the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Some of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Certain birth defects aren't known to have a cause. They are called congenital disorders, also known as congenital anomalies.

Women who are older than 30 and of certain ethnicities have a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic diseases might want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. This can help them determine if additional tests are required. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part which can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be identified by a healthcare provider during pregnancy, Birth Defect at birth or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies however others are more 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 by newborn screening tests, which are designed to detect certain health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can easily be identified by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the defect.

It is not always possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are frequently involved. This can be due to exposure to prescription or birth defect non-prescription medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water of communities or a problem during pregnancy or birth. Other times birth defects can be due to a physician failing to take the appropriate measures to prevent or treat a known medical health condition. In these instances medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect differ based on its severity and type. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. due to missing or additional genes in a person's cells. They are typically passed down from the parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. They are typically caused by problems during the development of a baby's body organs, especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born, or later in life, when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be performed by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed towards a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some birth defects are caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, whereas others can be traced back to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could cause birth defects. Certain birth defects are due to chemicals that are found in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine birth injuries and defects persist as a tragic reality. Fortunately many birth defects are preventable. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of highly experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take great pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can focus on your child, you and your entire family.

We can assist you in pursuing compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in certain circumstances, and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work hard to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug manufacturers are expected to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the market and to inform consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication you may start a lawsuit based on product liability with the assistance of a birth defects drug lawyer.