Watch Out: How Birth Defect Attorneys Is Gaining Ground And What To Do

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and an hour, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects can have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.

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

Causes

If a baby is born with an injury or defect it could cause serious health problems for the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects are often the result of an error in medical care or a mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defects can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In some instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that arise during pregnancy such as the uterine limit rupture of the amniotic sac, or the inability to supply oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects result from genetic disorders that run in families. These can be diagnosed with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses can be treated or prevented by a doctor, birth Defects for example PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are known as congenital anomalies or congenital conditions.

Women who are over 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at an increased chance of having birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illnesses might want to talk to a genetic counselor prior to get pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they should undergo further tests. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can alter the way organs function, or the structure of a person. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or even during early childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, craniofacial anomalies or palates 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 diagnosed by newborn screening tests that look for specific health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism as well as sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It may not always be possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This may include exposure to prescription or over-the counter medications, chemical substances that can contaminate the air and water of communities, or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Other times, birth defects are the result of a doctor failing to take appropriate measures to prevent or treat a recognized medical disease. In these situations, a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

When a birth defect is diagnosed, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the defect. Certain birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention after the baby is born.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or 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 or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. 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 performed during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to show. These tests can be conducted through ultrasounds or blood tests. The patient can also undergo an genetic test for birth defects to determine whether they are prone to a certain condition.

Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, while other can be linked to environmental factors. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy could cause birth defects. Some birth defects are also caused by certain chemicals that are present in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Thankfully most birth defects are preventable. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be the result of the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate can help you understand the legal options available to you and help you seek compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a plaintiff-only law practice, and we take pride on the excellent service we provide to our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you pursue compensation for losses, including future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages in some instances as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.

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