Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and a quarter minutes. These birth defects can impact the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

Different classifications and identifications of cases may result in an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case ascertainment that includes medical record abstraction and clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

If a baby is born with a defect or injury, it can cause serious health problems for the child for life. Birth defects are usually caused by an error in medical care or a medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defect can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In some instances, birth defects can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy such as the uterine restriction rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that run in families. These can be identified with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Certain of these diseases are treatable or preventable by a doctor, for example PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no reason and are classified as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women who are over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities have a higher chance of having birth defects. Couples with the same genetic disorders may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to have a baby. This can help couples determine whether they'll need further tests. Screening tests for newborns can be used to identify certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect attorneys defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any part of the body, affecting the way that organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be spotted by a healthcare provider during the pregnancy process, at birth, or in early childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies however others are more obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect law firm defects are detected through newborn screening tests, which check for specific health issues. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the type of defect.

It's not always easy to determine the cause of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often involved. This can be due to exposure to prescription or Birth Defect Lawyers over-the counter medications, chemical substances that can contaminate the air and water in communities, or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Other times, birth defects are the result of a doctor not taking the proper steps to avoid or treat a medical condition. In these situations it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect are based on the severity and type. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical interventions following the birth of the child.

The most frequent problems are chromosomal. These are caused by missing or extra genes within cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart problems. These are typically caused by problems during the development of a baby's body organs, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born, or later on in life when the first signs begin to appear. These tests can be carried out through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some are due to complications that happen during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy could result in birth defects. Some birth defects can also be due to chemicals that are found in the surrounding environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries are still a tragic reality. Thankfully the majority of birth defects are preventable. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.

Our team of highly skilled Birth defect lawyers (http://gwwa.yodev.net/) has many years of experience in handling wrongful birth cases. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take great pride in the level of service that we provide to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages including past and future medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages in certain circumstances, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them onto the market, and also warn consumers of any possible side effects. If, however your child's birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication you could file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defects drug lawyer.