Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Differences in how cases are identified and classified can result in over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could cause long-term health issues. Birth defects are usually the result of an error in medicine or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, Birth defects (https://vuf.minagricultura.gov.co) can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In some instances, birth defects can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that occur during pregnancy such as uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These can be detected by the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Some of these illnesses can be treated or prevented like PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no origin and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities have a higher risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illnesses might consider consulting an expert in genetics prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help them determine if additional tests are required. Screening tests for newborns can be used to determine certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can impact organ function or the structure of a person. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible, like cleft lips and craniofacial anomalies or palates while others are less evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected by newborn screening tests which are designed to detect certain health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It may not always be possible to know what caused birth defects, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This can include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that pollute water and air in communities or a problem during pregnancy or birth. Other times, birth defects are the result of a doctor failing to take appropriate measures to prevent or treat a recognized medical disease. In these instances it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect vary depending on the severity and type of birth defect. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention after the baby's birth.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart issues. These birth defects are caused by problems with the baby's organ development particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be conducted during pregnancy, after a child is born or later in life when the first signs begin to show. These tests can be conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. The patient can also undergo an genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are prone to a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some birth defect law firm defects result from complications that happen during pregnancy, while other can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are also due to chemicals that are present in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Thankfully, many birth defect lawsuits defects can be prevented. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you comprehend your legal options and seek compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a plaintiffs-only company and are proud of the quality of service 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 help you obtain compensation for your losses, which could include future and past medical expenses loss of income, punitive damage in some cases as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family receives the best possible outcome.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.