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 affect the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.
Variations in the way cases are classified and identified could lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment that includes medical record abstraction and a clinical review as well as passive reporting.
Causes
If the baby is born with a defect or injury it could have serious health effects on the child for life. Birth defects could be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of doctors during pregnancy.
In some instances birth defects is prevented by proper nutrition and prenatal care. In other instances they may be the result of environmental factors like exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that arise during pregnancy, including uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).
Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These can be identified with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no known cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.
Women over 30 and are of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to have a baby. This can help them determine if further tests are required. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart 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 affect organ function or the structure of a person. Birth defects can be identified by a doctor during pregnancy, at birth or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defect lawyer defects are visible like cleft lips or craniofacial anomalies or palates however others are more 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 identified through newborn screening tests, which are designed to detect certain health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are among the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.
It isn’t always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However the environment is often implicated. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over the counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water in communities, or complications that develop during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a doctor failed to make the necessary steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.
Treatment
When a birth defect has been recognized, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the problem. Some can be corrected before the baby is born, while others may require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.
A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or extra genes in a person’s cells. These are usually inherited from the parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. These are usually caused by issues during the development of a baby’s organs and tissues, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy, or following birth. They are also able to be done later in life, if symptoms start to appear. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. One can undergo genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they’re predisposed to a specific condition.
Preventing birth defects isn’t always straightforward. Some are due to issues that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced to certain environmental elements. Birth defects may be caused by use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can also be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbalicides like Agent Orange, m1bar.com which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.
Compensation
Despite recent advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects continue to be an unsettling fact. Fortunately the majority of birth defects are preventable. If you have a child suffering from an issue with their birth that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it’s essential to consult an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.
Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling wrongful birth cases. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice, and we take pride on the excellent service we offer to our clients. We’ll take away the burden so that you can focus on your child, yourself and your entire family.
We can assist you in seeking compensation for your losses, which could include the future and past medical costs loss of income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases, and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and then work to achieve the best result for your family.
Drug manufacturers are expected to thoroughly test their products before putting them on market and to inform consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If your child’s birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you may start a lawsuit based on product liability with the help of a birth defects drug lawyer.