Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Differences in how cases are classified and identified could lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review as well as passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could have long-term health consequences. Birth defects are often caused by an error in medical care or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In some instances birth defects can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that occur during pregnancy like the uterine restriction, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses which run in families. They can be detected with a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses like 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 are of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic illness may consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help them determine if additional testing is needed. Screening tests for newborns can be used to determine certain conditions, such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect – linked internet page – is an abnormal growth that can affect any part of the body which can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. birth defect lawsuit defects are often detected by a medical professional during the pregnancy process, at birth, or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies and others are not as conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be identified by newborn screening tests that look for certain types of health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be diagnosed by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the condition.

It’s not always it possible to pinpoint the cause of birth defects, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. These include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating air and water in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a doctor not taking appropriate steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical problem. In these cases medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is recognized, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Certain birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

Some of the most common issues are chromosomal. They are caused by missing or extra genes that are present in cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. The most common structural defects are cleft lips, neural tube defects, and heart problems. They are typically caused by issues with the development of the baby’s organs, specifically during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later in life, when symptoms begin to show. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an inherited test for birth defects to see whether they are predisposed to a particular condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some are due to complications that occur during a woman’s pregnancy, while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could lead to birth defects. Some birth defects can be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. This includes pesticides and herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Fortunately many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child suffering from a birth defect that may have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is crucial to consult an expert lawyer as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the exceptional service we offer our clients. We’ll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

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

Drug manufacturers are expected to thoroughly test their products before putting them on the market, and birth defect to inform consumers of potential side effects. If, however, your child’s birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may start a lawsuit based on product liability with the help of a birth defects drug lawyer.