Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a 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 classifications and identifiers of cases can lead to an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction 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 are usually caused by a medical mistake or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be avoided through the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In some cases birth defects, they can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications during pregnancy, including constriction of the uterus or rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that are passed down through families. They can be detected through a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these ailments like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no known cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities are at a higher chance of having birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they'll need further tests. Screening tests for newborns can help identify some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part and can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be detected by a medical professional during pregnancy, during birth or in early childhood. Certain birth defects, like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies, are obvious. Others, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct, which transports an influx of bile to the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified by newborn screening tests, that look for specific health issues. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are among the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose certain birth defect lawsuit defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It is not always possible to determine the root of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often implicated. These include exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defect birth defects arise because a physician failed to take the proper steps to prevent or treat an existing medical condition. In these cases the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect differ based on the severity and type of birth defect. Some can be corrected before the birth defect lawyer of a baby, birth defect while others may require surgery or other medical interventions following the birth of the child.

The most frequent defects are chromosomal. They are caused by missing or excess genes in the cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found, neural tube defects, and heart issues. They are typically caused by issues with the growth of the baby's organs, specifically during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be done during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be performed by ultrasounds or blood tests. One can undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular disease.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some are due to issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to specific environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may result in birth defects. Some birth defects are linked to certain chemicals that are found in the surrounding 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 injuries and defects are an unsettling fact. Thankfully most birth defects can be prevented. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help you comprehend your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with the claims of wrongful birth. We are a plaintiffs-only company and take pride in the level of service that we provide our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for your losses, which could include the future and past medical costs as well as lost income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases, and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the highest possible result.

Drug makers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them onto the market, and also warn customers about any possible side consequences. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.