Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and a half minutes, one 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.

Variations in the way cases are identified and classified can lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could have long-term health effects. Birth defects are usually the result of a medical mistake or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided by taking care of prenatal care and a 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 caused by complications that arise during pregnancy such as the uterine limit, rupture of the amniotic sac or the inability to supply oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that run in families. These can be detected by a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these diseases can be treated or prevented like PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no known cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are older than 30 and those of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic illnesses might consider consulting an expert in genetics prior to trying to become pregnant. This will help couples determine if they need to undergo additional tests. Screening tests for newborns can reveal some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may 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 as well as after the baby is born or during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible such as cleft lips and palates or craniofacial anomalies and others are not as conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests, birth Defects 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 conditions 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 determine the cause of birth defects, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that contaminate water and air in communities or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Other times, birth defects are the result of a doctor not taking appropriate steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical health condition. In these cases medical malpractice claims could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect vary depending on the severity and type. Certain birth defect attorney defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention following the birth of the baby.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They are typically inherited from the parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. 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 done during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later in life when symptoms begin to appear. These tests are conducted via ultrasounds and blood tests. A person may also undergo an genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are susceptible to a particular ailment.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, while others are linked 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 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 advancements in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Fortunately, many birth defects are preventable. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can help you understand the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take great pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages, in some cases and emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and will work tirelessly to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and also warn consumers of any possible side effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.