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 can have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.
The way that cases are identified and classified can result in either under or over-ascertaining certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed system will include active case ascertainment, which includes medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review as well as passive reporting.
Causes
A baby born with a defect or injury can have long-term health effects. Birth defects are usually the result of medical error or doctor's negligence during pregnancy.
In some cases birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth defects are also caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, such as uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the inability to supply oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).
Certain birth defects result from genetic diseases which run in families. These can be diagnosed with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Other birth defects have no cause and are known as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.
Women who are older than 30 and of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic diseases may wish to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to have a baby. This can help them determine if additional testing is required. Newborn screening tests can identify certain ailments, such as critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections that can be treated right away.
Diagnosis
Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of the person. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born, or even during the early years of childhood. Some
birth defects are visible like cleft lips or palates, or craniofacial disorders however others are more evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).
Many birth defects can be identified through newborn screening tests, which are designed to detect certain health problems. PKU, congenital Hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease are among the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic disorders like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the type of defect.
It's not always possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the air and water of communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or birth. Other times, birth defects are caused by a medical professional failing to take the appropriate measures to prevent or treat a known medical health condition. In these cases the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice might be pursued.
Treatment
When a birth defect has been identified, the options for treatment differ based on the type and severity of the problem. Some birth defects can be fixed before the baby is born. Others may require medical intervention or surgery after the baby is born.
A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. They are typically inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart problems. These birth defects are caused by problems with the baby's organ development especially in the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests for birth defects can be performed during pregnancy, after a baby is born or later in life when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be done via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo a genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are susceptible to a particular condition.
Preventing birth defects is not always straightforward. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that arise during pregnancy, whereas others can be traced to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are also due to chemicals that are found in the natural environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.
Compensation
Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Fortunately the majority of
birth defect law firms defects can be prevented. It is imperative to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical professionals. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and pursue compensation to cover your family's costs and losses.
Our team of experienced birth defect lawyers has many years of experience handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a plaintiffs-only company and take pride in the level of service that we offer our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on yourself, your child and your entire family.
We can assist you in pursuing compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages in some instances as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will investigate your case and work diligently to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.
Drug makers are required to thoroughly test their products before putting them on the market and warn consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you can bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer.
