Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
Every four and five minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of the affected.
Differences in how cases are classified and identified can lead to over- or under-ascertainment of certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system will include active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and a clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.
Causes
If the baby is born with a defect or injury it could cause serious health problems for the child's life. Birth defects can result from medical negligence or a mistake of a doctor during pregnancy.
In some cases, birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In some cases birth defects may be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that happen during pregnancy like the uterine limit, rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).
Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These are easily detected with 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 cause and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.
Women over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities have an increased risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illness might want to consult a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This can help couples decide if they need to undergo additional tests. Screening tests for newborns can reveal certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that can be treated as soon as they are identified.
Diagnosis
A
birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any part of the body which affects the way organs work or the structure of the body. 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 are visible such as cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities while others are less noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).
Many birth defects can be detected by newborn screening tests which look for certain health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be identified by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the defect.
It's not always easy to determine the root of a
birth defect. However environmental factors are frequently implicated. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the air and water in communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a doctor failing to take appropriate measures to stop or treat a recognizable medical disease. In these instances there is a possibility that a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.
Treatment
When a birth defect is diagnosed, the treatment options differ depending on the nature and severity of the defect. Some can be corrected before the birth of a baby, while others might require surgery or other medical procedures following the birth of the child.
Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. due to missing or additional genes in a person's cells. They are usually passed down from parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart problems. These problems are caused by issues with the baby's organ development particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests are performed during pregnancy or after birth. They can also be done later on in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be performed by ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.
Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some are caused by complications that arise during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced back to specific environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can also be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. This includes pesticides as well as herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and
birth defect 1971.
Compensation
Despite the recent advances in medical technology, birth defects and injuries are still a devastating reality. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child suffering from an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it's important to talk to an expert lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help you comprehend your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.
Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we pride ourselves on the high level of service we offer our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can focus on yourself, your child and your family.
We can help you seek compensation for damages including future and past medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages when necessary as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.
Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing their products to the market, and warn customers about any possible side consequences. If your child's birth defects resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you may make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a
birth defect lawyer.