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 could have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

The way that cases are classified and identified could lead to over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If a baby is born with a defect, injury or other it could have serious health consequences for the child's life. Birth defects are usually caused by an error in medical care or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances, birth defects can be prevented through prenatal care and good nutrition. In some instances birth defects may be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, including constriction of the uterus or rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid or a lack oxygen to the foetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that are passed down through families. These are easily identified through a blood test or ultrasound. Certain illnesses can be treated or prevented like PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no known cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are older than 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk for some birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic disorders might want to talk to a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This will help them determine if further tests are required. Newborn screening tests are able to detect certain conditions like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part, affecting the way that organs function or the structure of the body. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born, or in early childhood. Certain birth defects, like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial irregularities are apparent. Others are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be identified through newborn screening tests which look for certain types of health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to identify genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It may not always be it possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes lindon birth defect lawyer defects could be caused by a medical professional failing to take appropriate measures to prevent or treat a known medical problem. In these instances, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is discovered, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the condition. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born, while others may require surgery or other medical procedures after the baby is born.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes in a person's cells. They are typically passed down from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found or neural tube defects and heart issues. These problems are caused by problems with the organ development of the baby, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a child is born or later in life when symptoms start to show. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds and blood tests. A person may also undergo an genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are predisposed to a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some are due to issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are also caused by certain chemicals that are present in the surrounding environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, Cerritos Birth Defect Law Firm defects as well as injuries remain a tragic reality. Thankfully the majority of cicero birth defect law firm defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable will help you understand the legal options available to you and pursue compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has many years of experience handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice and we are proud on the quality of service we offer to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you obtain compensation for any damages, including past and future medical costs loss of income, damages for punitive in certain circumstances and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work hard to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them to the market, and inform consumers about any potential side effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you may file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.