Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and an hour, one 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 methods of identifying cases could result in an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could have long-term health effects. Birth defects are usually the result of an error in medicine or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, plainfield birth defect attorney defect can be prevented by taking care of your baby and eating well. In other cases they may be the result of environmental factors like exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that happen during pregnancy such as uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that are passed down through families. They can be detected through the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Certain illnesses can be prevented or treated, such as PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no origin and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of developing birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illness might want to consult a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This can help couples decide if they need to undergo further tests. Screening tests for newborns can help identify some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

corbin birth defect lawsuit defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function or the structure of the person. Birth defects are often detected by a healthcare provider during the pregnancy process, at birth, or even in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects, such as palates, lips or craniofacial anomalies, are apparent. Others, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile to the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed through newborn screening tests, that look for specific health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be detected by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the defect.

It isn't always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often involved. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes birth defects can be caused by a medical professional not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a known medical disease. In these cases, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect has been recognized, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the defect. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention following the birth of the baby.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes in a person's cells. They are typically passed down from parents. These include cleft lips and neural tube defects and heart issues. These defects are caused by issues with the development of organs in the baby especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for saco birth defect law firm defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later on in life when symptoms begin to appear. The tests can be carried out through ultrasounds and blood tests. A person can also have an inherited test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are susceptible to a certain condition.

It's not always easy to avoid birth defects. Some are due to complications that occur during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to certain environmental factors. Birth defects are often caused by the use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can also be related to chemicals that are found in the natural environment, including pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries remain a tragic reality. Thankfully the majority of birth defects can be avoided. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect a birth defect may have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can help you understand the legal options available to you and pursue compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience handling the claims of wrongful birth. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice, and we take pride on the quality of service we offer to our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on your child, yourself 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 then work to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to adequately test their products before putting them on market and warn consumers of potential side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you may make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.