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 have a lasting effect on the lives of the affected.

Differences in how cases are identified and classified could lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain types of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could have long-term health consequences. Birth defects could be caused by a medical error or negligence of the doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defect attorneys defect can be prevented by the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In some cases birth defects may be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can result from complications in pregnancy, such as uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. These can be identified with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at a higher chance of developing birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may wish to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to conceive. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo additional testing. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can affect organ function or the structure of the individual. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born or in early childhood. Certain birth defects, such as palates, lips or craniofacial defects, are visible. Some, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports an influx of bile to the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for some kinds of health issues. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. A doctor can detect certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always it possible to pinpoint the cause of the birth defect, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a medical professional not taking appropriate steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical disease. In these cases the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect are based on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

The most frequent problems are the chromosomal. They are caused by extra or missing genes within cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. These defects are caused by issues with the organ development of the baby particularly in the initial 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 the first signs begin to show. These tests can be carried out via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have a genetic test for birth defects to see if they are predisposed to a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some are due to issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could lead to birth defects. Some birth defect law firms defects can also be related to chemicals that are found in the surrounding environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects continue to be a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice, and we take pride on the exceptional service we provide to our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, and your family.

We can help you pursue damages, which include past and future medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages when necessary, and emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers are expected to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on market and warn consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If your child's birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication you may be able to bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defects drug lawyer.