10 Inspirational Graphics About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and half minutes, a baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects can impact the lives of those who are affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases can lead to an over- or under-estimated number 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

If the baby is born with a defect, injury or other it can cause serious health issues for the child's life. Birth defects can result from medical negligence or a mistake of a doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and good nutrition. In other cases they may result from environmental factors like exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, including the uterine restriction, rupture of the amniotic sac or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that run in families. They can be detected through an ultrasound test or a blood test. Certain of these ailments like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no reason and are classified as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and those of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic illnesses might want to talk to a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. This can help them determine if further testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions like critical congenital defects and certain infections that can be treated right away.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function or the structure of the person. Birth defects are often detected by a healthcare provider during pregnancy, before birth or in the early stages of childhood. Certain birth defects are obvious such as cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities while others are less conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be detected by newborn screening tests, which look for certain health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be diagnosed by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the condition.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However environmental factors are usually implicated. This may include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that can contaminate water and air in communities, peoria heights Birth defect law firm or complications during pregnancy or birth. Other times birth defects may be due to a physician failing to take the appropriate measures to stop or treat a recognizable medical health condition. In these cases, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a birth defect differ based on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They usually come from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips, neural tube defects, and heart problems. These peoria heights Birth defect law firm defects are caused by issues with the development of organs in the baby particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests are performed during pregnancy, or after des moines birth defect law firm. They are also able to be done later in life if signs begin to manifest. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. A person can have a genetic test for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular disease.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some are due to complications that happen during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Some birth defects can also be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. These include pesticides as well as herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advancements in medicine birth injuries and defects remain a tragic fact. Thankfully, many birth defects can be prevented. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may have been caused due to the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice lawyer will help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.

Our team of highly experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take pride in the level of service that we provide 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 such as future and past medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages, in some cases as well as emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research your case and then work to ensure the best outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing their products to the market, and also warn consumers about any potential side effects. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a drug, you may start a lawsuit against the manufacturer with the help of a birth defect lawyer.