Discussion Board

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and five minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.

The way that cases are identified and classified can result in the over- or under-ascertainment certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with an injury or defect it could cause serious health issues for the child's future. Birth defects could be caused by medical negligence or a mistake of doctors during pregnancy.

In certain cases, birth defect is prevented by proper nutrition and prenatal care. In other cases they could result from environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can be caused by complications in pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus, rupture the amniotic fluid sac or a lack of oxygen in the fetus.

Certain birth defects are caused by genetic diseases that are passed down through families. These are easily identified through the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are more at risk of risk of developing birth defects. Couples with the same genetic diseases may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to conceive. This can help couples decide whether they require further testing. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, which can be treated as soon as they are identified.

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. Birth defects are often detected by a doctor during pregnancy, during birth or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects are visible such as cleft lips and palates, or craniofacial disorders and others are not as conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected through newborn screening tests, which are designed to detect certain health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome. A doctor can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It is not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are frequently associated with. This can include exposure to prescription or non-prescription drugs, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water in communities, or complications during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects happen because a physician failed to take the appropriate steps to prevent or treat a known medical condition. In these instances it is possible to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

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

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are often inherited from parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. These problems are caused by problems with the development of organs in the baby particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for poplar bluff birth defect lawyer defects can be done during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born or later in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be done by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have an inherited test for birth defects to determine whether they are prone to a particular ailment.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some are due to issues that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to specific environmental elements. Birth defects can be caused by the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects are due to chemicals that are present in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science, cary birth defect lawsuit injuries and defects continue to be an unsettling fact. Thankfully many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child with a birth defect that may have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an experienced lawyer as quickly as possible. An empathetic and experienced 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 wrongful birth claims. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice, and we take pride on the exceptional service we offer to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

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

Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing their products to the market, and also warn consumers about any possible adverse effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer.