Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

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

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect or injury, it can cause serious health issues for the child's future. Birth defects are often the result of a medical mistake or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some cases, birth defects can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that arise during pregnancy like the uterine limit, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the inability to supply oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that run in families. They can be detected through an ultrasound or blood test. Certain of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defect law firm defects have no known cause and are known as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and are of certain ethnicities have an increased risk for some birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illnesses might consider consulting a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. This can aid them in determining if further tests are required. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, which can be treated as soon as they are identified.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of the person. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible, like cleft lips and palates or craniofacial anomalies, while others are less noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests, which look for certain health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It's not always possible to know what caused birth defects, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water of communities or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Other times, birth defects are caused by a medical professional not taking appropriate steps to prevent or treat a known medical problem. In these cases there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is recognized, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may 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 in a person's cells. They are typically inherited 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 baby's organ development, 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 begin to appear. The tests can be carried out through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo an genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are susceptible to a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may result in birth defects. Some birth defects are also related to chemicals that are found in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Fortunately the majority of birth defects can be avoided. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help you comprehend your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling cases of birth defect attorneys defects that are not correct. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and are proud of the quality of service we offer our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can focus on your child and your entire family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages, including the future and past medical costs loss of income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases as well as emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible outcome.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them to the market, and inform consumers of any possible side effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.