Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system will include active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review as well as passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with an injury or defect it could have serious health consequences for the child for life. Birth defects could be caused by a medical error or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other cases they may result from environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can be caused by complications in pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus or rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the foetus.

Some birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that run in families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no known origin and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women who are older than 30 and of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases might want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to conceive. This will help couples determine if they need to undergo additional testing. Newborn screening tests are able to detect certain conditions, like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can impact organ function or Birth defects the structure of the individual. Birth defects can be detected by a healthcare provider during pregnancy, at birth or in early childhood. Some birth defect law firm defects, like palates, lips, or craniofacial abnormalities, are obvious. Some, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that carries the bile to the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified through newborn screening tests, which are designed to detect certain health issues. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic disorders like Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It may not always be possible to know what caused a birth defect, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This may include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water in communities, or complications during pregnancy or birth defect attorneys. Sometimes, birth defects are the result because a doctor failed to take the appropriate steps to prevent or treat an existing medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect are based on its severity and type. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require medical intervention or surgery after the baby's birth.

The most frequent disorders are chromosomal. These are caused by missing or extra genes in the cells of a person. These are typically passed down from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found as well as neural tube defects and heart problems. These birth defects are caused by issues with the development of the baby's organs particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.

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

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some are caused by complications that happen during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. Certain birth defects are due to 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 the recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries remain a tragic reality. Thankfully many birth defects can be prevented. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect the birth defect could be due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can help you understand the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for your family's losses and birth defects expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience dealing with wrongful birth cases. We are a plaintiffs-only company and are proud of the level of service that we provide to our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on your child, yourself, and your family.

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

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them to the market, and also warn consumers about any possible adverse effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.