Birth Defect Attorneys Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect that occurs every four and quarter minutes. These birth defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of those affected.

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

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect or injury it could cause serious health issues for the child's future. Birth defects are usually the result of an error in medicine or a doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

In some 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 harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy like the uterine limit rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that are passed down through families. They can be detected through a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no known cause and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are over 30 and of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic diseases may wish to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. This can help them determine if additional testing is needed. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, which can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can impact organ function or the structure of the individual. Healthcare professionals can detect birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips or palates or craniofacial anomalies however others are more noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are detected by newborn screening tests, birth defects that look for specific health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always certain what caused birth defects, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This can be due to exposure to prescription or non-prescription drugs, chemical substances that contaminate water and air in communities, or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are due to a physician not taking the proper steps to avoid or treat a medical condition. In these cases medical malpractice claims can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a recognized birth defect vary depending on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require medical intervention or surgery after the baby is born.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. resulting from missing or birth defects extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are often inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lips, neural tube defects and heart problems. These birth defects are caused by problems with the baby's organ development particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born, or later on in life, when symptoms begin to appear. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take an genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are prone to a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some birth defects result from complications that can occur during pregnancy, while other are linked to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can result in birth defects. Some birth defects are also related to chemicals that are present in the 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 are still a devastating reality. Fortunately many birth defects are preventable. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can help you understand the legal options available to you and pursue compensation for your family's losses as well as expenses.

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

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

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly prior to releasing them onto the market and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you can make a claim for product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.