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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 alter the lives of those who are affected for a lifetime.

Differences in how cases are classified and identified can result in the over- or under-ascertainment certain types of birth defects. 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 an injury or defect may have long-term health effects. Birth defects are usually caused by a medical mistake or a medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In some instances birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy such as constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic sac, or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders which run in families. These are easily detected with the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects are not known to have a reason and are classified as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of developing birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illness might want to talk to a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help them determine if additional testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect organ function or the structure of a person. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born or during the early years of childhood. Some birth defect lawyer defects are visible like cleft lips or craniofacial anomalies or palates while others are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests, which check for specific health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to identify genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It is not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However the environment is often implicated. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes birth defect lawyer defects could be caused by a medical professional not taking appropriate steps to prevent or treat a known medical disease. In these cases medical malpractice claims could be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is identified, the options for treatment differ based on the type and severity of the condition. Some can be corrected before the baby is born, while others might require surgery or other medical procedures after the child is born.

A few of the most common issues are chromosomal. They are caused by missing or excess genes that are present in cells of a person. These are often inherited from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lips and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. These defects are caused by problems with the organ development of the baby, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy, or after birth. They can also be performed later on in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds and blood tests. One can also take an inherited test for birth defects to see whether they are prone to a particular ailment.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some are due to issues that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to specific environmental elements. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Certain birth defects are linked to certain chemicals that can be found in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the latest advances in medicine birth defect lawyer injuries and defects are a tragic reality. Thankfully, many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child that has an issue with their birth that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's crucial to consult an experienced lawyer as quickly as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can help you understand the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only company and are proud of the quality of service we offer our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, yourself and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for damages such as past and future medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages in some instances, and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers are expected to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before putting them on market and to warn consumers of potential side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you may bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.