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 birth defects can have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.

Different ways in which cases are identified and classified can result in an over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes 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

When a baby is born with a defect, injury or other it could have serious health effects on the child's life. Birth defects are usually caused by medical error or medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In certain instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that happen during pregnancy, including the uterine restriction, rupture of the amniotic sac, or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders which run in families. These are easily identified through a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these ailments like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects are not known to have a origin and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities have an increased chance of having birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic diseases might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This will help them determine if additional testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborns can help identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can alter organ function or the structure of the individual. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born or during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, craniofacial anomalies or palates, 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 defects are detected through newborn screening tests, which check for specific health issues. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders like Down syndrome. A doctor can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure 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 are due to a physician not taking appropriate steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical health condition. In these cases, a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

If a birth defect is discovered, the treatment options vary depending 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 following the birth of the baby.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal, due to missing or additional genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are typically passed down from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lips and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. These birth defects are caused by problems with the organ development of the baby particularly in the initial three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later in life when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are susceptible to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some birth 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 result in birth defects. Some birth defects are also caused by certain chemicals that are found in the environment, such as pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Fortunately most birth defects are preventable. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you comprehend your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases of birth defect lawsuit defects that are not correct. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we pride ourselves on the exceptional service we offer to our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on yourself, your child, and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages when necessary as well as emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the situation and work hard to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible result.

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing their products to the market, and also warn consumers of any possible side negative effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.