Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and a half minutes, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These defects can have a lasting effect on the lives of those affected.

Differences in how cases are identified and classified can result in either under or over-ascertaining certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and a clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect or injury, it could cause serious health problems for the child for life. Birth defects are usually the result of an error in medical care or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defect can be avoided through proper nutrition and prenatal care. In some cases, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may be the result of complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus or rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid or a lack of oxygen to the foetus.

Some birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that are passed down through families. They can be detected through an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at an increased chance of having birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic disorders may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to get pregnant. This will help couples determine if they need to undergo additional tests. Newborn screening tests are able to detect certain conditions such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function or the structure of the individual. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, like palates, lips or craniofacial irregularities are apparent. Others, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that transports bile to the liver).

Many birth defects can be identified by newborn screening tests which are designed to detect certain health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be detected by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, depending on the type of defect.

It's not always easy to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often implicated. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or birth. Other times birth defect lawsuits defects can be the result of a doctor failing to take the appropriate measures to stop or treat a recognizable medical health condition. In these instances, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

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

Some of the most common issues are chromosomal. They are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes that are present in cells of a person. They are typically passed down from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. These are usually caused by issues during the development of the baby's body organs, especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests may be performed during pregnancy or after birth. They can also be performed later in life if symptoms start to appear. The tests can be carried out through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.

It is not always simple to avoid birth defects. Some are caused by complications that arise during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are caused by certain chemicals that can be found in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advancements in medicine, birth injuries and defects are a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child with a birth defect that may have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it's essential to consult an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can help you understand the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take pride in the quality of service we provide 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 any damages, including future and past medical expenses, lost income, damages for punitive in certain circumstances, and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and then work to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them onto the public, and they must inform consumers about any potential side consequences. If your child's birth defects resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.