Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Differences in how cases are identified and classified could lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain types of birth defects. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction and a clinical review in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect or injury it could cause serious health problems for the child for life. Birth defects are usually the result of a medical mistake or a medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defect can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other instances, they can be the result of environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that happen during pregnancy like uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac, or an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some Eldorado Birth Defect Attorney defects are caused by genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These can be diagnosed with a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Certain birth defects aren't identified as a cause. They are referred to as congenital disorders, or congenital abnormalities.

Women who are over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities have a higher risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases might want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to conceive. This can help couples decide whether they'll need additional tests. Screening tests for newborns are able to identify certain conditions, such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of the person. Birth defects are often detected by a doctor during the pregnancy process, at birth, or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable like cleft lips, craniofacial abnormalities however others are more conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are diagnosed through newborn screening tests which look for specific health problems. These include PKU as well as congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify some birth defects by using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the type of defect.

It's not always easy to determine the cause of a tyrone birth defect law firm defect. However environmental factors are frequently associated with. This can be due to exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating the air and water of communities or a problem during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects happen due to a medical professional failing to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these situations the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect vary depending on its severity and type. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require medical or surgical intervention following the birth of the baby.

Many of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. caused by missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They are typically inherited from the parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart problems. These defects are caused due to problems with the development of organs in the baby especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a baby is born or later in life when symptoms start to appear. These tests can be done via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person could undergo genetic testing for birth defects to determine if they are predisposed to a particular disease.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some are due to complications that arise during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to environmental elements. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Some birth defects can also be related to 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 advancements in medicine, birth defects as well as injuries remain a tragic fact. Thankfully the majority of birth defects can be avoided. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to help cover the costs of your family and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with cases involving wrongful births. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take great pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We will take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses or loss of income punitive damages in certain circumstances as well as emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to achieve the best result for your family.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to adequately test their products before putting them on market and to inform consumers of potential side effects. If your child's birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug, you could start a lawsuit based on product liability with the assistance of a birth defects drug lawyer.