Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and a quarter minutes. These defects can alter the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

Variations in the way cases are identified and classified can lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed system will include active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and clinical review in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect, injury or other it can cause serious health problems for the child for life. Birth defects could be caused by a medical error or negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In some cases fort lee birth Defect Lawsuit defects can be avoided through the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In some instances birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy like uterine constraint rupture of the amniotic sac or the inability to supply oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. These can be detected by a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Some birth defects are not known to have a cause. They are called congenital disorders or congenital abnormalities.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of having birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic disorders might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo further tests. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function or the structure of the individual. Birth defects can be spotted by a doctor during the pregnancy process, at birth, or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects, like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial defects, are obvious. Others aren't as obvious, such as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct, which transports an influx of bile to the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for some kinds of health problems. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It may not always be possible to know what caused the birth defect, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating air and water in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are the result due to a medical professional failing to make the necessary steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice claims could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a birth defect vary depending on its severity and type. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born, while others may require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are often inherited from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart issues. These are usually caused by problems during the growth of the baby's body organs, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They may also be conducted later on in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have an inherited test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

It is not always simple to avoid birth defects. Certain birth defects result from complications that can occur during pregnancy, whereas others can be traced back to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. Some mayfield birth defect lawsuit defects can be linked to chemicals found in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Thankfully the majority of birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child who has a birth defect that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney will help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling wrongful birth claims. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take great pride in the quality of service we provide our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you seek damages, which include future and past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in some instances, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible result.

Drug makers are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the market and warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.