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 affect the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

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

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could have long-term health effects. Birth defects are usually the result of an error in medicine or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be prevented by the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In other cases they could be the result of environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects are also caused by complications that arise during pregnancy like constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that are passed down through families. They can be detected with a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these ailments are treatable or preventable, such as PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no origin and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are more at risk of risk of having birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic diseases may consider seeing an expert in genetics prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo further tests. Newborn screening tests are able to detect certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of the person. Birth defects are often detected by a healthcare provider during pregnancy, before birth or in early childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable, like cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities while others are less evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are diagnosed through newborn screening tests that check for a variety of health issues. 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 detect genetic disorders like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect certain birth defects with ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It's not always possible to know what caused a birth defect, however it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This can be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water in communities or a problem during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, groton birth defect law firm defects arise due to a medical professional failing to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent an existing medical condition. In these instances, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect are based on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention following the birth of the baby.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal. caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart issues. They are usually caused by problems with the growth of the baby's organs, specifically during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests are performed during pregnancy or after birth. They may also be conducted later in life if symptoms begin to show. These tests can be conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. One can also take an inherited test for birth defects to determine whether they are predisposed to a particular condition.

Preventing swissvale birth defect attorney defects is not always easy. Some pickerington birth defect lawyer defects result from complications that occur during pregnancy, whereas other can be traced to environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are due 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 the latest advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects are an unfortunate fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect the birth defect could have been caused due to the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can help you comprehend your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling wrongful birth claims. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take pride in the quality of service we provide our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on yourself, your child and your family.

We can assist you in pursuing damages, which include past and future medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages, in some cases as well as emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Manufacturers of drugs are required to test their products thoroughly before putting them on market and warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If your child's birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication you may make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.