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Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and an hour, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can impact the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.

Differences in how cases are identified and classified can result in an over- or under-ascertainment of certain types of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case assessment, including medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If a baby is born with a defect, injury or other it could cause serious health issues for the child’s future. Birth defects could be caused by an error in medicine or the negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In some instances birth defects, they can be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications during pregnancy, including constriction of the uterus, rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid or a lack of oxygen in the foetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. These are easily identified through a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses are treatable or preventable like PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other sachse birth defect law firm defects have no origin and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of having certain beech grove Birth defect Attorney defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic diseases may consider seeing an expert in genetics prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help them determine if further testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of a person. Birth defects can be identified by a medical professional during pregnancy, during birth or in early childhood. Some new paltz birth defect attorney defects are noticeable like cleft lips, craniofacial abnormalities and others are not as evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect disorders can be detected through newborn screening tests that look for some kinds of health issues. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It may not always be possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating air and water in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or during delivery. Other times birth defects could be caused by a doctor not taking the proper steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical condition. In these instances medical malpractice claims could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect differ based on the severity and nature of the defect. Some birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others might require medical intervention or surgery after the baby is born.

The most frequent defects are chromosomal. These are caused by extra or missing genes in a person’s cells. These are usually inherited from parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. They are typically caused by issues with the growth of the baby’s organs, specifically during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later in life when the first signs begin to appear. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds and blood tests. One can undergo genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to suffer from a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some are caused by complications that occur during a woman’s pregnancy, while others can be traced to certain environmental elements. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could lead to birth defects. Some birth defects can also be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. This includes pesticides and herbalicides, such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth injuries and defects persist as an unsettling fact. Many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child suffering from an anomaly in the birth process that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it’s crucial to consult an expert lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take pride in the quality of service we provide our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for damages including future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages in some instances, and emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and will work tirelessly to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them onto the market, and also warn customers about any possible side negative effects. If, however, your child’s birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you could make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.