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 defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of the affected.
Variations in the way cases are identified and classified can lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed system can include active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and a clinical review in addition to passive reporting.
Causes
If a baby is born with a defect or injury it can cause serious health problems for the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects are often the result of an error in medical care or a medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.
In certain cases, birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In other cases they could be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications in pregnancy, such as uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a lack of oxygen in the fetus.
Some birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that are passed down through families. They can be detected through an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these illnesses can be prevented or treated, such as PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no known reason and are classified as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.
Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are more at risk of risk of having birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic diseases may wish to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to conceive. This can help couples decide whether they should undergo further testing. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, which can be treated right away.
Diagnosis
A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part and can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be detected by a healthcare provider during the pregnancy process, at birth, or in early childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious, like cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities and others are not as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).
Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests, that look for specific health issues. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can easily be identified by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the defect.
It's not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However the environment is often implicated. This can include exposures to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or the birth. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a doctor not taking appropriate steps to prevent or treat a known medical disease. In these instances, a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.
Treatment
When a birth defect has been diagnosed, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the problem. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby's birth.
A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, resultant from the absence of or extra genes in a person's cells. They usually come from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips as well as neural tube defects and heart issues. They are usually caused by issues during the development of a baby's organs, specifically in the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests are performed during pregnancy, or following birth. They can also be done later in life if signs start to appear. These tests can be carried out via ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an inherited test for
birth defect attorney defects to determine whether they are susceptible to a particular condition.
Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some are due to issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Some
birth defect lawsuit defects can be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbalicides like 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 a tragic reality. Fortunately the majority of birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child who has an issue with their birth that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for your family's expenses and losses.
Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only company and take pride in the quality of service we provide our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.
We can help you seek compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages, in some cases and emotional distress. Our
attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and will work tirelessly to ensure the best outcome for your family.
Drug manufacturers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and inform consumers about any potential side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you may make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.