Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and a quarter minutes. These defects can affect the lives of those who are affected for the rest of their lives.
Different classifications and types of cases may result in an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review and passive reporting.
Causes
A baby born with a defect or injury can have long-term health consequences. Birth defects are often caused by an error in medicine or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.
In some cases, birth defect is prevented by prenatal care and good nutrition. In other instances they could result from environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus, rupture the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the fetus.
Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders that run in families. These can be detected by the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Certain of these diseases are treatable or preventable by a doctor, for example PKU, sickle cell disease 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 those of certain ethnicities have a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic illness may consider seeing an expert in genetics prior to trying to become pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they’ll need additional testing. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that can be treated right away.
Diagnosis
Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function or the structure of a person. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable like cleft lips or craniofacial anomalies or palates and others are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).
Many birth defect-related conditions can be identified by newborn screening tests that look for specific health issues. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. A doctor can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.
It’s not always possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often involved. This can include exposure to prescription or non-prescription medicines, chemical substances that pollute water and air in communities, or complications during pregnancy or birth. Other times, birth defects are caused by a medical professional failing to take the appropriate measures to prevent or birth defect attorneys treat a known medical disease. In these instances medical malpractice claims can be pursued.
Treatment
Treatment options for a recognized birth defect are based on the severity and type of birth defect. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical interventions after the baby is born.
The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. due to missing or additional genes in a person’s cells. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. They are typically caused by issues during the development of the baby’s organs, specifically in the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests for Birth defect attorneys birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later in life when the first signs begin to show. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. A person can have a genetic test for birth defects to determine if they’re predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.
Preventing birth Defect Attorneys defects is not always easy. Some are due to complications that occur during a woman’s pregnancy while others can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are linked to certain chemicals that are present in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.
Compensation
Despite the latest advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects are a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child suffering from an anomaly in the birth process that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is crucial to consult an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate will help you understand the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for your family’s losses and expenses.
Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take great pride in the level of service that we provide to our clients. We’ll relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on yourself, your child and your entire family.
We can assist you in pursuing compensation for damages including future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages when necessary as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the most favorable possible result.
Drug makers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them onto the market, and also warn customers about any possible side negative effects. If your child’s birth defects resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you may make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer.