Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
Every four and a half minutes, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of those affected.
Different ways in which cases are identified and classified can result in over- or under-ascertainment of certain types of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system employs 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 be caused by an error in medicine or the negligence of doctors during pregnancy.
In some cases, birth defect can be prevented through taking care of your baby and eating well. In other cases, they can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can be caused by complications during pregnancy, like uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the foetus.
Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that run in families. These are easily identified through a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these ailments like PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Some birth defects are not recognized to be the cause. They are known as congenital disorders, or congenital anomalies.
Women over 30 and are of certain ethnicities have an increased risk for some birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illnesses might want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they require further testing. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections that can be treated right away.
Diagnosis
Birth 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 individual. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, such as palates, lips or craniofacial irregularities are obvious. Others, however, aren’t as obvious as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile to the liver).
Many birth defect conditions are detected through newborn screening tests that look for a variety of health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Some Birth Defect Attorneys defects can be identified by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, depending on the defect.
It is not always possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually associated with. This may include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water of communities, or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Other times birth defects can be caused by a doctor not taking appropriate steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical problem. In these cases medical malpractice claims could be pursued.
Treatment
Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect vary depending on the severity and type of birth defect. Some of them can be fixed before the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.
Some of the most common issues are chromosomal. These are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes within cells of a person. They are typically passed down from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found, neural tube defects, and heart problems. They are typically caused by issues during the growth of the baby’s organs and tissues, particularly during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be performed by ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an inherited test for birth defects to determine whether they are prone to a particular condition.
Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some birth defects are caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, whereas others are linked to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are related to chemicals that can be found in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.
Compensation
Despite recent advances in medicine birth injuries and defects remain a tragic reality. Thankfully many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child that has a birth defect that may have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an experienced lawyer as quickly as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can help you comprehend the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.
Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only company and are proud of the quality of service we provide our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on yourself, your child, and your family.
We can help you seek compensation for damages, including the future and past medical costs as well as lost income, punitive damage in some cases, and Birth defect Attorneys emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the situation and work hard to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to thoroughly test their products prior to releasing them onto the market, and to inform consumers of possible adverse reactions. If your child’s birth defect was caused by a drug, you could bring a lawsuit for product liability with the assistance of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.