Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
Every four and an hour, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects can have a lasting effect on the lives of the affected.
Different ways in which cases are identified and classified could lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.
Causes
A baby born with injuries or defects could be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects are often caused by an error in medicine or a medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.
In some cases, birth defects can be prevented with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In some instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, including uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the fetus (also called 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. Certain of these diseases are treatable or preventable like PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects have no reason and are classified as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.
Women who are over 30 and of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic diseases might want to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to have a baby. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo further tests. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that are treatable immediately.
Diagnosis
Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can affect organ function or the structure of the individual. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies and others are not as noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).
Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests which look for certain health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic conditions like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.
It may not always be possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is typically linked to environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a medical professional not taking the proper steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical problem. In these cases there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.
Treatment
Treatment options for a suspected birth defect differ based on its severity and type. Some birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention following the birth of the baby.
The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. They usually come from the parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart problems. These
birth defect law firms defects are caused by issues with the baby's organ development, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later on in life when the first signs begin to appear. The tests can be conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo genetic tests for birth defects in order to determine whether they are susceptible to a specific condition.
Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, whereas others can be linked to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Some birth defects are also related to chemicals that are present in the environment, such as pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.
Compensation
Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Thankfully the majority of birth defects can be avoided. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.
Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice, and we take pride on the quality of service we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.
We can assist you in seeking compensation for any damages, including future and past medical expenses and lost income, as well as damages for punitive purposes in certain cases as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research your case and will work tirelessly to achieve the best result for your family.
Drug makers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them to the market, and also warn consumers about any potential side negative effects. If your child's
birth defects resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the help of a
birth defect lawyer.