Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and a quarter minutes. These birth defects can have a lasting effect on the lives of those affected.

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases can result in an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may cause long-term health issues. Birth defects can be caused by an error in medicine or the negligence of the doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be avoided by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some instances birth defects, they can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that happen during pregnancy, such as the uterine limit rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders which run in families. These are easily detected with an ultrasound test or a blood test. Certain of these diseases are treatable or preventable, such as PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Some birth defects aren't recognized to be the cause. They are called congenital disorders or congenital abnormalities.

Women who are older than 30 and those of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illness might want to talk to a genetic counselor prior to get pregnant. This can aid them in determining if further testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that can be treated as soon as they are identified.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any part of the body, affecting the way that organs function or the structure of the body. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born or during early childhood. Some birth defects, like palates, lips or craniofacial defects, are obvious. Others, however, are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries bile to the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for some kinds of health issues. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are among the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic conditions like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be diagnosed by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and birth Defect law firms blood tests in pregnancy, based on the type of defect.

It's not always certain what caused Birth defect law firms defects, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This can include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water in communities or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Other times birth defects can be due to a physician failing to take appropriate measures to avoid or treat a medical problem. In these cases medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect can vary based on the severity and nature of the defect. Some of them can be fixed before the birth of a baby, while others may require surgery or other medical interventions following the birth of the child.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are usually inherited from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. These are typically caused by issues during the development of the baby's body organs, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy, or following birth. They can also be done later in life, if symptoms start to appear. The tests can be carried out through ultrasounds and blood tests. A person can have a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some are due to complications that arise during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to certain environmental elements. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy could result in birth defects. Some birth defects are also related to chemicals that are present in the surrounding 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. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child that has an issue with their birth defect law firms that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you comprehend your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of highly experienced birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in settling cases involving wrongful births. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and are proud of the quality of service we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue damages, which include past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages when necessary, and emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible outcome.

Manufacturers of drugs are required to thoroughly test their products before putting them on the market, and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you may file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.