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 birth defects can have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

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

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect could have long-term health consequences. Birth defects can be caused by medical errors or negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In some instances birth defects may be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy such as uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. These can be detected by an ultrasound test or a blood test. Certain of these diseases are treatable or preventable like PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no origin and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic disorders might want to talk to a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they should undergo further tests. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect 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 the way organs function or the structure of a person. Birth defects can be detected by a medical professional during the pregnancy process, at Covington birth defect lawsuit, or in early childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable like cleft lips, craniofacial anomalies or palates and others are not as 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, that look for specific health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, depending on the defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However the environment is often associated with. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects arise because a physician failed to make the necessary steps to treat or prevent an existing medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice claims could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect differ based on its severity and type. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention following the birth of the baby.

The most frequent problems are the chromosomal. They are caused by missing or excess genes in the cells of a person. They are typically passed down from the parents. Structural defects include cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart problems. These are usually caused by issues during the growth of the baby's organs and tissues, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be conducted during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life, when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be carried out via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic test for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to a particular disease.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, whereas others can be linked to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Certain birth defects may be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medical science, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Thankfully, many birth defects are preventable. If you have a child suffering from a birth defect that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's crucial to consult an experienced lawyer as quickly as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can help you comprehend the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling cases of wrongful merrill birth defect lawsuit. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the quality of service we provide to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in some instances and emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and work hard to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and to inform consumers of possible adverse reactions. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you can start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.