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 may result in an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect could cause long-term health issues. Birth defects are usually the result of a medical mistake or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects is prevented by the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In some instances birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that occur during pregnancy like the uterine limit, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the inability to supply oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders which run in families. These can be detected by a blood test or birth defects ultrasound. Certain illnesses are treatable or preventable like PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no reason and are classified as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are more at risk of risk of developing birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illness might want to talk to an expert in genetics prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help them determine if additional testing is required. Screening tests for newborns can be used to identify certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any part of the body and can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, craniofacial abnormalities, while others are less evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect issues can be identified by newborn screening tests that look for some kinds of health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always easy to determine the root of a birth defect. However the environment is 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 delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a physician failed to make the necessary steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these instances, a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is identified, the options for treatment differ depending on the nature and severity of the defect. Certain birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

A few of the most common problems are chromosomal. They are caused by extra or missing genes in the cells of a person. They are typically inherited from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart problems. They are typically caused by problems during the development of the baby's body organs, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests may be performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They can also be done later in life, if symptoms begin to show. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have genetic tests for birth defects to see if they are predisposed to a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Certain birth defects result from complications that happen during pregnancy, whereas others can be traced to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can result in birth defects. Some birth defects can also be caused by certain chemicals that are found 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 medical science, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child who has a birth defect that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is essential to consult an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of highly experienced birth defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with the claims of wrongful birth. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we pride ourselves on the high level of service we provide to our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for damages such as past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages, in some cases and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research your case and will work tirelessly to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug makers are required to thoroughly test their products prior to releasing them onto the market and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may be able to make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.