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Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can have a lasting effect on the lives of the affected.

Different classifications and types of cases could result in an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system employs active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with a defect or injury can have long-term health effects. Birth defects are often the result of a medical mistake or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

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

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these ailments can be prevented or treated by a doctor, for example PKU sickle cell disease, and cleft lip and cleft palate. Certain birth defects aren’t recognized to be the cause. They are known as congenital conditions, or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illness might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will help them determine if additional tests are required. Screening tests for newborns can be used to identify certain conditions, like 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 the way organs function or the structure of the individual. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born, or in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, such as palates, lips or craniofacial irregularities are apparent. Others aren’t as obvious as congenital heart disease or biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct that transports the bile to the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are identified by newborn screening tests which look for some kinds of health problems. 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 used to detect genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It is not always possible to pinpoint the cause of a birth defect. However the environment is often associated with. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes birth defects can be due to a physician not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical problem. In these instances, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect vary depending on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the baby is born, while others might require surgery or other medical interventions after the child is born.

Most of the most prevalent disorders are chromosomal. These are caused by extra or missing genes in the cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. These include cleft lips or neural tube defects and heart problems. These defects are caused by problems with the baby’s organ development, particularly in the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests are performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They are also able to be done later on in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have an genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are susceptible to a particular ailment.

It’s not always easy to prevent birth defects. Certain birth defects result from complications that happen during pregnancy, whereas other can be linked to environmental factors. Birth defects may be caused by consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects could be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. This includes pesticides and herbalicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries are still a tragic reality. Fortunately many birth defects are preventable. If you have a child suffering from a birth defect that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it’s important to speak to an expert lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can help you comprehend the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for your family’s losses as well as expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice, and we take pride on the excellent service we offer our clients. We’ll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages, including the future and past medical costs as well as lost income, punitive damage in some cases as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to adequately test their products prior to releasing them onto the market, and to inform consumers of potential side effects. However, if your child’s birth defect was caused by a drug you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect law firms defect lawyer for drugs.