Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases can lead to an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect, injury or other it could cause serious health issues for the child's future. Birth defects can result from a medical error or negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be avoided by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some instances birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that arise during pregnancy, including constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic sac, or a lack of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects result from genetic disorders that run in families. These are easily detected with an ultrasound test or a blood test. Some of these ailments can be treated or prevented by a doctor, for example PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Some birth defects aren't known to be the cause. They are known as congenital conditions, or congenital abnormalities.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of having birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illnesses might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to get pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they'll need further tests. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part which affects the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects are often detected by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, at birth or in early childhood. Some birth defects, such as palates, lips or craniofacial anomalies, are visible. Others, however, aren't as obvious as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct, which transports an influx of bile to the liver).

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests, which are designed to detect certain health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases such as 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 easy to determine the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually associated with. This could include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water of communities or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a physician failed to take the proper steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these cases there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

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

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal. due to missing or additional genes in a person's cells. They usually come from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart problems. These problems are caused by problems with the development of organs in the baby, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be performed during pregnancy, or following birth. They can also be done later in life if signs begin to manifest. These tests can be conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. A person could undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed towards a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some are caused by complications that occur during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to specific environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are linked to certain chemicals that are present in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine birth injuries and defects persist as a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may be the result of the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate can help you comprehend the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling wrongful birth cases. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take great pride in the level of service that we provide our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, and your family.

We can assist you in pursuing compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages, in some cases, and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the highest possible result.

Drug makers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them onto the market, and also warn consumers about any possible adverse negative effects. If, however your child's birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication you could bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defects drug lawyer.