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 have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

Differences in how cases are identified and classified could lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When the baby is born with a defect, injury or other it can have serious health effects on the child for life. Birth defects are usually the result of an error in medicine or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defects can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In some instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can be caused by complications in pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus or rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid or a deficiency of oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. These can be detected by a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these ailments like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Certain birth defects aren't identified as a cause. They are called congenital disorders, also known as congenital anomalies.

Women over 30 and of certain ethnicities have an increased risk for some birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic diseases may consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This will aid them in determining if further testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborns can be used to detect certain conditions such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

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. Birth defects can be spotted by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, during birth or even in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious such as cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities and others are not as evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be detected through newborn screening tests that check for a variety of health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be detected by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, depending on the type of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the root of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often associated with. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities, or 189.1.162.238 complications that occur during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects are due to a physician not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical health condition. In these cases, a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

When a birth defect is diagnosed, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the problem. Some charlestown birth defect attorney defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others might require medical intervention or surgery after the baby is born.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, due to missing or additional genes that are present in the cells of a person. These 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 are usually caused by issues during the growth of the baby's organs and tissues, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests may be performed during pregnancy, or following birth. They can also be performed later in life if signs start to appear. These tests can be conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo genetic tests for birth defects to see whether they are predisposed to a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some are caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. Birth defects are often caused by the use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can be caused by chemicals that are found in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides, such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advancements in medicine, birth injuries and defects persist as an unfortunate fact. Thankfully the majority of birth defects can be avoided. 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's important to speak to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer will help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases of wrongful birth. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we pride ourselves on the quality of service we provide to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you obtain compensation for your losses, which could include future and past medical expenses as well as lost income, punitive damages in certain instances as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and then work to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to adequately test their products before releasing them on the market, and to inform consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If, however your child's birth defect was caused by a drug, you could make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defects drug lawyer.