Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and an hour, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. 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 system includes active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review as well as passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect or injury, it can have serious health effects on the child's life. Birth defects are usually the result of an error in medical care or a medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some cases, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, including the uterine limit, rupture of the amniotic sac, or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic diseases which run in families. They can be detected through a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no reason and are classified as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women who are over 30 and of certain ethnicities have a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic diseases might want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to have a baby. This can help couples determine whether they require additional tests. Screening tests for newborns can be used to determine certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

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 the individual. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or in early childhood. Some birth defect lawsuit defects are visible like cleft lips or craniofacial anomalies or palates however others are more conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be detected by newborn screening tests, which look for certain health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It's not always it possible to pinpoint the cause of birth defects, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating the air and water in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a doctor failing to take appropriate measures to avoid or treat a medical problem. In these situations there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is identified, the options for treatment vary depending on the type and severity of the defect. Some birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others might require medical intervention or surgery 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 the parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart issues. These birth defects are caused by problems with the organ development of the baby particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later on in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. A person may also undergo a genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some birth defects are caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The consumption 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 natural environment, including pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Fortunately the majority of birth defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding 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 birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice, and we take pride on the high level of service we provide to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages such as past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in some instances, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and then work to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing their products to the market, and also warn consumers about any possible adverse negative effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you may start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the help of a birth defect lawyer.