Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Different classifications and identifiers of cases could result in an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect, injury or other it can cause serious health problems for the child's life. Birth defects can result from an error in medicine or the negligence of the doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases Birth defect attorney defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In other cases they may be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus, rupture the sac of amniotic fluid or a lack of oxygen to the fetus.

Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders that run in families. They can be detected through the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Some of these illnesses are treatable or preventable by a doctor, for example PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Some birth defects aren't known to have a cause. They are referred to as congenital disorders, or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of having birth defects. Couples with the same genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they require further testing. Screening tests for newborns can help identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any part of the body which can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects are often detected by a doctor during pregnancy, during birth or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, such as palates, lips or craniofacial defects, are visible. Some, however, are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect issues can be identified by newborn screening tests which look for certain types of health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It's not always certain what caused the birth defect, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the air and water in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes birth defects could be the result of a doctor failing to take the appropriate measures to prevent or treat a recognized medical health condition. In these cases it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

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

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal. resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are often inherited from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. These birth defects are caused by problems with the development of organs in the baby particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be conducted during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born, or later in life when symptoms start to appear. The tests can be carried out through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed towards a particular condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some are due to complications that occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to specific environmental elements. Birth defects are often caused by the use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects could be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects persist as a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect lawsuits defect may be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only company and are proud of the quality of service we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for your losses, which could include the future and past medical costs, lost income, punitive damages in certain instances as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and work hard to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them onto the market, and also warn customers about any possible side consequences. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may file a product-liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect lawyer.