5 Birth Defect Attorneys Myths You Should Stay Clear Of

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

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

Causes

If the baby is born with an injury or defect it could cause serious health issues for the child for birth defects life. Birth defects are often the result of an error in medicine or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects can be prevented with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In certain instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that occur during pregnancy like uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic diseases that run in families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or an ultrasound. Certain of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no origin and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women who are over 30 and of certain ethnicities have a higher chance of having birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illnesses might consider consulting a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they'll need further tests. Screening tests for newborns can help identify certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can alter organ function or the structure of the person. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips or palates or craniofacial anomalies and others are not as 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, that look for specific health issues. 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 disorders, like Down syndrome. A doctor can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always it possible to pinpoint the cause of birth defects, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This can be due to exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water in communities, or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are due to a physician failing to take the appropriate measures to stop or treat a recognizable medical problem. In these cases medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

When a birth defect is identified, the options for treatment differ depending on the nature and severity of the problem. 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. due to missing or additional genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defect attorney 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 particularly in the initial three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a person is born, or later in life when symptoms begin to show. The tests can be conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo an genetic test for birth defects in order to determine if they are predisposed to a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Some birth defects are caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, while others can be traced back to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are also caused by certain chemicals that are 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. Thankfully most birth defects can be avoided. It is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take pride in the quality of service we offer our clients. We will relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you and your family.

We can assist you in obtaining compensation for any damages, including future and past medical expenses and lost income, as well as punitive damages in certain instances and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research the case and work diligently to ensure that your family receives the best possible outcome.

Drug makers are required to test their products thoroughly prior to releasing them onto the market and birth defects warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you may file a product-liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.