Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
Every four and five minutes, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These defects can affect the lives of those affected for a lifetime.
Different classifications and methods of identifying cases can lead to an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and clinical review as well as passive reporting.
Causes
A baby born with an injury or defect may cause long-term health issues. Birth defects could be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of doctors during pregnancy.
In certain cases birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In some instances birth defects may be caused by environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, including uterine constraint rupture of the amniotic sac, or a lack of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).
Some
birth Defect attorney defects result from genetic diseases which run in families. These can be identified with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no known cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.
Women who are over 30 and of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illness might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to get pregnant. This will aid them in determining if further testing is required. Screening tests for newborns can reveal some conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections that can be treated immediately.
Diagnosis
A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any part of the body and can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Certain birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates or craniofacial irregularities are apparent. Others are less obvious, such as congenital cardiac disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).
Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests that look for specific health problems. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the type of defect.
It's not always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However the environment is often involved. This can include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that can contaminate the air and water of communities, or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a physician failed to take the proper steps to prevent or treat an existing medical condition. In these cases, a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.
Treatment
Treatment options for a suspected birth defect can vary 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.
Some of the most common problems are chromosomal. They are caused by the presence of extra or missing genes in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Birth defects that are structural include things like cleft lips or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. These birth defects are caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. A person can have a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they're predisposed to a particular disease.
Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some are due to complications that happen during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to specific environmental elements. Birth defects can be caused by consumption of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can also be related to chemicals that are present in the surrounding environment, including herbicides and pesticides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.
Compensation
Despite recent advances in medicine birth injuries and defects are a tragic fact. Fortunately most birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child with an issue with their birth that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it's essential to consult an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.
Our team of expert
birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and are proud of the level of service that we offer 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 pursue compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages when necessary, and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and to inform consumers of possible adverse reactions. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a drug, you may start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.