Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can impact the lives of those who are affected for the rest of their lives.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can lead to an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may cause long-term health issues. Birth defects can result from medical errors or negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In other cases they may be caused by environmental factors like exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects are also caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, such as the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic diseases that run in families. They can be detected with a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these illnesses are treatable or preventable with the help of a specialist, such as PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and palate. Some birth defects aren't known to have a cause. They are known as congenital disorders, or congenital abnormalities.

Women over 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of having birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic diseases might consider consulting an expert in genetics prior to trying to become pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they should undergo additional tests. Screening tests for newborns can be used to identify certain conditions, like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of the person. Birth defects can be identified by a doctor during pregnancy, before birth or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible, like cleft lips and craniofacial anomalies or palates while others are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be detected by newborn screening tests, which look for certain health issues. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be detected by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the defect.

It may not always be certain what caused 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 in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a doctor failed to take the appropriate steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these situations it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

If a birth defect is diagnosed, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the condition. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born, while others might require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.

Some of the most common problems are chromosomal. These are caused by missing or extra genes that are present in cells of a person. These are often inherited from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips, neural tube defects, and heart issues. These birth defects are caused by issues with the development of organs in the baby especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be done during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later in life, when symptoms begin to show. The tests can be conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic testing for wilson birth defect lawsuit defects to determine if they're predisposed towards a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, while others are linked to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are due to 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 advances in medical technology, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child suffering from a birth defect that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can help you comprehend your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling cases of montevallo birth defect lawyer defects that are not correct. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice and we pride ourselves on the excellent 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 your losses, which could include the future and past medical costs loss of income, damages for punitive in certain circumstances as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them onto the public, and they must inform customers about any possible side effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication you could make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.