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 those affected.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can lead to an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and a clinical review as well as passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could have long-term health effects. Birth defects can result from an error in medicine or the negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

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

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that run in families. They can be identified by the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Some of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are older than 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities are at a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to have a baby. This will help them determine if additional testing is needed. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, which are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part which affects the way organs work or the structure of the body. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Some birth defect attorneys defects are visible like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies however others are more noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are diagnosed through newborn screening tests that check for certain types of health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Certain birth defect attorney defects can be identified by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the condition.

It's not always easy to determine the root of a birth defect. However environmental factors are frequently associated with. This can include exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water of communities or a problem during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a doctor failed to make the necessary steps to treat or prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these situations the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

If a birth defect is diagnosed, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the defect. Some of them can be fixed before a baby is born, while others might require surgery or other medical procedures following the birth of the child.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal, resultant from the absence of or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. These birth defects are caused by issues with the organ development of the baby particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to show. These tests can be carried out by ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an inherited test for birth defects to determine whether they are susceptible to a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some are caused by issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to specific environmental elements. Birth defects can be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are linked to certain chemicals that are found in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science birth injuries and defects remain an unfortunate fact. Thankfully most birth 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 professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can help you comprehend the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice and we pride ourselves on the high level of service we offer to our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child and your entire family.

We can assist you in pursuing compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages, in some cases, and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the public, and they must inform consumers about any possible adverse negative effects. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a prescription drug, you may bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer.