Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and quarter minutes. These defects can have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.
The way that cases are classified and identified can result in either under or over-ascertaining certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case ascertainment that includes medical record abstraction and a clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.
Causes
If a baby is born with a defect, injury or other it could cause serious health issues for the child for life. Birth defects are usually the result of an error in medical care or a doctor's negligence during pregnancy.
In some cases birth defects is prevented by taking care of your baby and eating well. In some cases
birth defects, they can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances.
Birth Defect Attorneys defects can also be the result of complications that occur during pregnancy, such as 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 disorders that run in families. These can be identified with a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these illnesses are treatable or preventable with the help of a specialist, such as PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Some birth defects aren't recognized to be the cause. They are called congenital conditions, or congenital abnormalities.
Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are more at risk of risk of having birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to conceive. This will help them determine if further testing is required. Newborn screening tests are able to detect certain conditions such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that can be treated right away.
Diagnosis
Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function or the structure of the person. Birth defects can be identified by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, before birth or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, like palates, lips or craniofacial irregularities are easily visible. Others are not as obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries bile to the liver).
Many birth defect-related conditions can be identified by newborn screening tests which look for some kinds of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the condition.
It may not always be certain what caused a birth defect, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This can be due to exposure to prescription or over-the counter medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water of communities or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a doctor did not take the proper steps to treat or prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice claims can be pursued.
Treatment
If a birth defect is diagnosed, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the issue. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.
The most frequent defects are chromosomal. These are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes in the cells of a person. These are typically passed down from parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart issues. They are typically caused by problems during the development of the baby's organs, particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests may be performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They can also be done later in life if symptoms begin to manifest. These tests can be carried out through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.
Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some are due to complications that happen during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to environmental elements.
birth defect lawsuits defects can be caused by consumption of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can also be caused by certain chemicals that are found in the natural environment, including 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 persist as a tragic fact. Thankfully many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child with an issue with their birth that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it's crucial to consult an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice lawyer will help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for your family's expenses and losses.
Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases of wrongful birth. We are a plaintiffs-only company and take pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you, and your family.
We can help you seek compensation for damages, such as past and future medical costs as well as lost income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases, and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research your case and work diligently to ensure the best possible outcome for your family.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to adequately test their products before releasing them on the market and to warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you may file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.
