Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These defects can affect the lives of those who are affected for the rest of their lives.

Different classifications and types of cases may result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could cause long-term health issues. Birth defects can result from medical errors or negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defects can be avoided by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In other cases they could result from environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that arise during pregnancy, such as the uterine restriction, rupture of the amniotic sac, or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that run in families. These can be diagnosed with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are more at risk of risk of developing birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to have a baby. This can help couples determine if they need to undergo additional tests. Newborn screening tests are able to determine 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 work or the structure of the body. Healthcare professionals can detect bethalto birth defect law firm defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born or during the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious like cleft lips or palates or craniofacial anomalies however others are more evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect issues can be identified by newborn screening tests that look for a variety of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be diagnosed by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the defect.

It may not always be it possible to pinpoint the cause of the birth defect, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects arise because a doctor failed to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these instances medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect can vary based on the severity and type of birth defect. Some can be corrected before the baby is born, while others may require surgery or other medical interventions after the baby is born.

Some of the most common issues are chromosomal. These are caused by missing or extra genes within cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lips and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. These are typically caused by problems during the development of a baby's organs, particularly during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later on in life, when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be carried out via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may undergo a genetic test for fairfield birth defect law firm defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular disease.

Preventing Northville birth defect lawyer defects isn't always easy. Some birth defects result from complications that can occur during pregnancy, while others can be traced to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are related to chemicals that can be found in the surrounding environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medical technology, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Fortunately the majority of birth defects are preventable. If you have a child who has an anomaly in the birth process that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it's essential to consult an expert lawyer as soon as you can. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you comprehend your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice, and we take pride on the quality of service we offer to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you obtain compensation for damages, including past and future medical costs as well as lost income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and pearland birth Defect law firm will work tirelessly to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug makers are required to test their products thoroughly before putting them on market and warn consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you may file a product-liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.