Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and five minutes, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These defects can affect the lives of those who are affected for a lifetime.

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

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect or injury, it can cause serious health issues for the child’s health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects could be caused by an error in medicine or the negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be avoided by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In other cases, they can result from environmental factors like exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that happen during pregnancy like the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac or the lack of oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that are passed down through families. These can be detected by a blood test or ultrasound. Certain illnesses can be treated or prevented with the help of a specialist, such as PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Certain birth defects aren’t recognized to be the cause. They are referred to as congenital disorders, or congenital abnormalities.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at an increased chance of developing birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic diseases might want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to conceive. This will help them determine if further tests are required. Newborn screening tests are able to determine certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can alter the way organs function or the structure of a person. Birth defects are often detected by a healthcare provider during pregnancy, during birth or in early childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious such as cleft lips and craniofacial anomalies or palates and others are not as noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified by 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 also checks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the type of defect.

It may not always be certain what caused the birth defect, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This can be due to exposure to prescription or non-prescription medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water of communities or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes birth defects may be caused by a doctor not taking appropriate steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical condition. In these situations the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect vary depending on the severity and type of birth defect. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, due to missing or additional genes in a person’s cells. They are usually passed down from parents. The most common structural defects are cleft lips or neural tube defects and Vimeo.Com heart issues. These defects are caused due to problems with the baby’s organ development, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy or after birth. They can also be done later in life if symptoms begin to show. These tests can be carried out by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular disease.

Preventing birth defects isn’t always easy. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, while other can be traced to environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by use of tobacco, 4uplife.com alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can also be due to 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 the latest advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects continue to be a tragic reality. Thankfully many birth defects can be avoided. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can help you understand the legal options available to you and pursue compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases of wrongful birth. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take great pride in the level of service that we provide to our clients. We’ll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for damages, such as future and past medical expenses, lost income, damages for punitive in certain circumstances and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them to the market, and inform customers about any possible side 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 drug lawyer.