Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases could result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system employs active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect could cause long-term health issues. Birth defects are often the result of medical error or doctor's negligence during pregnancy.

In some instances, st charles birth defect attorney defect can be prevented by prenatal care and good nutrition. In other instances they may result from environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, including uterine constraint rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that are passed down through families. They can be detected with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Certain illnesses can be prevented or treated like PKU and sickle cell disease and cleft lip and cleft palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a cause and are known as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and those of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples with the same genetic disorders may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. This can help them determine if additional testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions, such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can alter organ function or the structure of the individual. Birth defects can be spotted by a medical professional during pregnancy, at birth or in early childhood. Certain birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial abnormalities, are obvious. Other birth defects, however, are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct, which transports the bile to the liver).

Many birth defect-related conditions can be identified through newborn screening tests which look for a variety of health issues. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can easily be identified by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the condition.

It is not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often involved. This could include exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water of communities, or complications during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects are caused by a doctor not taking the proper steps to prevent or treat a recognized medical disease. In these cases medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a birth defect vary depending on the severity and nature of the defect. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require medical intervention or surgery following the birth of the baby.

Most of the most prevalent disorders are chromosomal. These are caused by missing or excess genes in the cells of a person. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart problems. They are usually caused by issues with the development of a baby's organs, specifically during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be conducted during pregnancy, after a baby is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be carried out by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can have a genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a specific condition.

Preventing Middlesborough birth defect attorney defects isn't always easy. Some birth defects are caused by complications that can occur during pregnancy, while other can be traced to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Some birth defects can also be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. This includes pesticides and herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and beachwood birth defect law firm 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medical science birth injuries and defects continue to be an unfortunate fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child with an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to talk to an skilled lawyer as soon as you can. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can assist you in understanding the legal options available to you and pursue compensation for your family's losses and expenses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice and we pride ourselves on the quality of service we provide to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages when necessary and emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate the situation and work hard to ensure that your family receives the highest possible result.

Manufacturers of drugs are required to ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the market and warn consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a prescription drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a du quoin birth defect lawsuit defect drug lawyer.