Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and a quarter minutes. These birth defects can have a lasting effect on the lives of the affected.

Differences in how cases are classified and identified can lead to over- or under-ascertainment of certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with an injury or defect it can have serious health effects on the child's life. Birth defects can result from a medical error or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects is prevented by proper nutrition and prenatal care. In some cases birth defects may be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. birth defect attorneys problems can be caused by complications in pregnancy, such as uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the foetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses which run in families. These are easily identified through a blood test or ultrasound. Certain illnesses can be prevented or treated, such as PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no known origin and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at a higher chance of having birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to conceive. This can help couples determine if they need to undergo additional tests. Newborn screening tests are able to detect certain conditions like critical congenital defects and 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. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates or craniofacial irregularities are visible. Some, however, aren't as obvious as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries bile to the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for some kinds of health issues. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease are just a few of the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be detected by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the defect.

It's not always it possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate air and water in communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or during delivery. Other times birth defects may be caused by a medical professional not taking the proper steps to avoid or treat a medical disease. In these cases there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect can vary based on its severity and type. Some defects can be addressed before the birth of a baby, while others might require surgery or other medical procedures following the birth of the child.

Some of the most common disorders are chromosomal. These are caused by extra or missing genes in a person’s cells. They usually come from parents. The most common structural defects are cleft lips and neural tube defects and heart problems. 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 done during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be performed via ultrasounds and blood tests. A person could undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.

Preventing birth Defect lawyer defects isn't always easy. Some are due to complications that arise during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to environmental elements. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may result in birth defects. Some birth defects can also be caused by certain chemicals that are present in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medical science, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child with an issue with their birth that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an experienced lawyer as quickly as possible. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney will help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has many years of experience dealing with cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take great pride in the quality of service we provide our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for your losses, which could include the future and past medical costs as well as lost income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and work hard to ensure the best possible outcome for your family.

Drug makers are required 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 defects were caused by a prescription drug, you can make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.