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 could have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

Variations in the way cases are identified and classified can result in the over- or under-ascertainment certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with a defect, injury or other it could cause serious health problems for the child's life. Birth defects are often the result of medical error or medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In some cases, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or Birth Defects toxins. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that are passed down through families. These can be detected by the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Some of these ailments can be treated or prevented, such as PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no known cause and are known as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women who are older than 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic disorders may consider seeing an expert in genetics prior to trying to become pregnant. This will help them determine if further tests are required. Screening tests for newborns can help identify some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can affect organ function or the structure of the individual. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, craniofacial abnormalities, while others are less conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests which look for certain health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It's not always certain what caused birth defects, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. These include exposure to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects are due to a physician not taking the proper steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical disease. In these instances, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is discovered, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the defect. Certain birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require medical intervention or surgery following the birth of the baby.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. These birth defects are caused by problems with the development of organs in the baby especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be performed by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have an genetic test for birth defects to see if they are predisposed to a particular ailment.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, while others are linked to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or Birth defects alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are also related to chemicals that are found in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects (mouse click on Nuodeanda) and injuries are still a devastating reality. Thankfully many birth defects are preventable. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate can help you comprehend the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take great pride in the level of service that we provide to 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 seek damages, which include future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages, in some cases and emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to test their products thoroughly before putting them on market and warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.