Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with a birth defect lawsuit defect. These birth defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of those affected.

Different classifications and types of cases may result in an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review as well as passive reporting.

Causes

If a baby is born with an injury or defect it could cause serious health issues for the child for life. Birth defects can result from medical errors or negligence of the doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some cases birth defects can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, including constriction of the uterus, rupture amniotic fluid's sac or a lack of oxygen to the foetus.

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These are easily detected with an ultrasound or blood test. Certain of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are known as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are more at risk of chance of developing birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they require additional tests. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any part of the body and can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be detected by a healthcare provider during pregnancy, at birth or even in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects, like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies, are obvious. Other birth defects, however, aren't as obvious as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile to the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be detected through newborn screening tests that look for specific health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always certain what caused a birth defect, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating the air and water of communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a doctor did not take the proper steps to prevent or treat an illness that is known to be medically prone. In these instances medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect differ based on the severity and type of birth defect. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the birth of a baby, while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the baby is born.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes in a person's cells. These are typically passed down from parents. These include cleft lips or neural tube defects and heart problems. They are typically caused by problems with the growth of the baby's body organs, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life when the first signs begin to show. These tests can be done by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have an genetic test for birth defects in order to determine if they are predisposed to a certain condition.

It is not always simple to prevent birth defects. Some are caused by 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 could result in birth defects. Some birth defects can be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advancements in medicine birth injuries and defects remain an unsettling fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child that has an anomaly in the birth process that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is crucial to consult an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in settling cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take great pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on your child and your entire family.

We can help you seek compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages in certain circumstances and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to ensure the best possible outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers are expected to test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market and to inform consumers of the potential adverse effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a medication that is a prescription drug you may be able to start a lawsuit based on product liability with the assistance of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.