Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Different classifications and types of cases can lead to an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and a clinical review in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with an injury or defect it could have serious health consequences for the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects can result from an error in medicine or the negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defect can be prevented by the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In other instances, they can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy such as constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic sac or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects result from genetic disorders that run in families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain illnesses are treatable or preventable by a doctor, for example PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no known reason and are classified as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illnesses might want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they'll need further tests. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions, such as critical congenital defects, 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 provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born or during the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable like cleft lips, craniofacial abnormalities, while others are less noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

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

It may not always be it possible to pinpoint the cause of the birth defect, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a medical professional failing to take appropriate measures to avoid or treat a medical problem. In these cases the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

When a birth defect is diagnosed, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the problem. Some of them can be fixed before the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.

The most frequent problems are the chromosomal. They are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes within cells of a person. These are typically passed down from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found and neural tube defects and heart issues. These are usually caused by issues during the growth of the baby's organs, specifically during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be done during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to show. These tests can be carried out through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed towards a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some are caused by complications that happen during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by the use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can be caused by chemicals that are found in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medical science, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child that has a birth defect that may have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is essential to consult an skilled lawyer as soon as you can. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases of wrongful birth. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the excellent service we offer to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages in certain circumstances as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and work hard to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them onto the market, and inform consumers of any possible side effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth Defect attorney, Petm.Kr, defect lawyer.