Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and quarter minutes. These defects can alter the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

Different ways in which cases are classified and identified can result in an over- or under-ascertainment of certain types of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect could be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects can result from a medical error or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defect can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In certain instances birth defects may be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, such as uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defect lawyer defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. These can be detected by a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these diseases are treatable or preventable, such as PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are known as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at a higher chance of developing birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to conceive. This will help couples determine whether they require further tests. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that 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 impact the way organs function, or the structure of a person. Birth defects can be detected by a doctor during the pregnancy process, at birth, or even in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious like cleft lips or craniofacial abnormalities while others are less noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests that check for certain types of health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. A doctor can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It may not always be possible to determine the cause of a birth defect attorney defect, however it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating the air and water of communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or during delivery. Other times birth defects could be caused by a doctor not taking appropriate steps to prevent or treat a known medical disease. In these situations, a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect vary depending on the severity and type. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others might require medical intervention or surgery after the baby's birth.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. due to missing or additional genes in a person's cells. They are typically inherited from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart problems. They are usually caused by issues during the growth of the baby's organs, specifically during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born or later in life, when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic test for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to a specific condition.

It is not always simple to avoid birth defects. Some are due to complications that occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to certain environmental elements. Birth defects can be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can also be caused by certain chemicals that are found in the environment, including pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science birth injuries and defects remain a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child suffering from a birth defect that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is crucial to consult an skilled lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can help you comprehend the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases of wrongful birth. We are a plaintiffs-only company and are proud of the level of service that we offer our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you and your entire family.

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

Drug makers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and warn consumers about any potential side effects. If your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug, you could bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.