Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and a quarter minutes. These defects can alter the lives of those who are affected for the rest of their lives.

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases could result in an under- or overestimated 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

When the baby is born with a defect or injury, it can have serious health consequences for the child's future. Birth defects can be caused by medical errors or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defect can be prevented by the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In other instances, they can be the result of environmental factors like exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that arise during pregnancy such as constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic sac or the inability to supply oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that run in families. They can be detected through an ultrasound or blood test. Certain of these diseases are treatable or preventable, such as PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no origin and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are older than 30 and of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic disorders may consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. This will help them determine if additional tests are required. Newborn screening tests are able to detect 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 body part which can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects are often detected by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, before birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects, like palates, lips or craniofacial defects, are easily visible. Others are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that carries the bile to the liver).

Many birth defect attorney defects can be detected through newborn screening tests that look for specific health issues. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Certain Birth Defect Attorney defects can be diagnosed by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the defect.

It's not always possible to know what caused birth defect law firm defects, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or the birth. Other times, birth defects are caused by a medical professional failing to take appropriate measures to avoid or treat a medical problem. In these situations it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

When a birth defect has been diagnosed, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the condition. Some of them can be fixed before the birth of a baby, while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

Most of the most prevalent defects are chromosomal. These are caused by missing or extra genes in the cells of a person. They usually come from the parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart issues. These defects are caused due to problems with the development of organs in the baby, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to show. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds and blood tests. One can also take genetic tests for birth defects to see if they are predisposed to a particular ailment.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some are due to issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced to certain environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy may cause birth defects. Some birth defects can also be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advancements in medicine, birth injuries and defects continue to be an unfortunate fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child who has an issue with their birth that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's essential to consult an experienced lawyer as quickly as you can. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling wrongful birth cases. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we are proud on the quality of service we offer to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in pursuing compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in some instances as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and work diligently to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

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