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Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and quarter minutes. These defects can have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

Different classifications and identifiers of cases can result in an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.


Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may cause long-term health issues. Birth defects can be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other instances, they can be the result of environmental factors like exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects are also caused by complications that arise during pregnancy like the uterine limit, rupture of the amniotic sac, or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These are easily detected with the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Some of these illnesses can be prevented or treated with the help of a specialist, such as PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and cleft palate. birth defect lawyer san mateo are not known to have a cause. They are known as congenital disorders, or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 as well as women of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of having birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to get pregnant. This can help couples decide if they need to undergo further testing. Newborn screening tests are able to determine certain conditions, such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can alter organ function or the structure of the individual. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born, or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, craniofacial abnormalities while others are less evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are detected through newborn screening tests which look for certain types of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect 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 condition.

It may not always be certain what caused a birth defect, however it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This can include exposure to prescription or over-the counter drugs, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities or a problem during pregnancy or delivery. Other times birth defects may be due to a physician failing to take appropriate measures to prevent or treat a known medical disease. In these cases medical malpractice claims could be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is recognized, the treatment options differ based on the type and severity of the condition. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. They are typically inherited from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found or neural tube defects and heart issues. These problems are caused by issues with the baby’s organ development especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later on in life when the first signs begin to show. These tests can be done by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo a genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are prone to a specific condition.

Preventing birth defects isn’t always straightforward. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, while others can be traced to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy may cause birth defects. Certain birth defects could be caused by chemicals that are found in the environment. These include pesticides and herbalicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child who has a birth defect that may be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an expert lawyer as soon as possible. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney will help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice and we pride ourselves on the high level of service we provide to our clients. We’ll help you get rid of the burden so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you obtain compensation for damages, such as past and future medical costs loss of income, damages for punitive purposes in certain cases and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research your case and work diligently to ensure the best possible outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market, and inform consumers about any potential side negative effects. If your child’s birth defect was caused by a medication that is a prescription drug you may be able to start a lawsuit based on product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.