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 alter the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and identifications of cases can lead to an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with a defect or injury it could cause serious health issues for the child for life. Birth defect Attorney defects can be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of the doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defect can be prevented through proper nutrition and prenatal care. In certain instances birth defects can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, including uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac or the inability to supply oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that run in families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these illnesses like PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Some birth defects aren't known to be the cause. They are referred to as congenital disorders, or congenital abnormalities.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic diseases may wish to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to conceive. This will help them determine if further tests are required. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can alter the way organs function, or the structure of the individual. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born or during early childhood. Certain birth defects, like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial irregularities are apparent. Others, however, are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected by newborn screening tests that look for specific health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It's not always it possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect, however it is often associated with environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating air and water in communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a doctor did not take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent an existing medical condition. In these cases, a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

When a birth defect has been diagnosed, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the condition. Certain birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart issues. They are usually caused by issues during the growth of the baby's body organs, especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They may also be conducted later in life, if symptoms start to appear. The tests can be conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take an genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are susceptible to a particular ailment.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some are due to complications that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could cause birth defects. Certain birth defect attorneys defects may be attributed to chemicals that are present 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 recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries are still a devastating reality. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child suffering from an issue with their birth that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to speak to an experienced lawyer as quickly as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable will help you understand the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling wrongful birth cases. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice, and we take pride on the exceptional service we offer to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can assist you in obtaining compensation for damages, such as the future and past medical costs and lost income, as well as damages for punitive purposes in certain cases and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible outcome.

Manufacturers of drugs are required to adequately test their products before releasing them on the market and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you could make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.