Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Different ways in which cases are identified and classified can lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could have long-term health consequences. Birth defects are usually caused by an error in medicine 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 some instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that occur during pregnancy, such as uterine constraint rupture of the amniotic sac or the lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that run in families. They can be detected through an ultrasound test or a blood test. Some of these illnesses, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no known reason and are classified as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 and of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of developing certain birth defect law firm defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic disorders might want to talk to a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they'll need further tests. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that can be treated right away.

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 the individual. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born or during early childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies 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 diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for certain health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are among the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. A doctor can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This can be due to exposure to prescription or over-the counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water of communities or complications during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a medical professional not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical disease. In these cases it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

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

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, due to missing or additional genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are often inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart issues. These birth defects are caused by problems with the development of the baby's organs especially in the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be performed during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo a genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are prone to a particular ailment.

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, while other can be traced to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Some birth defects are also caused by certain chemicals that can be found in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advancements in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Fortunately most birth defects can be prevented. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer will help you understand your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice and we pride ourselves on the excellent service we offer our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on yourself, your child and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for damages including future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages in some instances as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to test their products thoroughly before putting them on the market, and to inform consumers of possible adverse reactions. If your child's birth defects were caused by a prescription drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.