Nancy Haskins asked 3 months ago
Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
Every four and an hour, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These defects can affect the lives of those affected for the rest of their lives.
Different classifications and types of cases can lead to an over- or underestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system incorporates active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and a clinical review and passive reporting.
Causes
A baby born with a defect or injury can have long-term health consequences. Birth defects can be caused by medical errors or negligence of the doctor during pregnancy.
In certain cases, birth defects can be avoided through prenatal care and good nutrition. In other cases they may be the result of environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can be caused by complications during pregnancy, like constriction of the uterus, rupture the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the fetus.
Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These are easily detected with the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Certain of these diseases, such as PKU and birth defect lawyer sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Some birth defects are not recognized to be the cause. They are called congenital conditions, or congenital anomalies.
Women over 30 and women of certain ethnicities have a higher risk of developing birth defects. Couples with a similar history of genetic diseases may want to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to get pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they’ll need further tests. Screening tests for newborns can be used to detect certain conditions such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that could be treated right away.
Diagnosis
A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part which affects the way organs work or the structure of the body. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born, or in early childhood. Certain birth defects, like palates, lips or craniofacial defects, are apparent. Some, however, are less obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct which carries an influx of bile to the liver).
Many birth defect attorneys defects are diagnosed through newborn screening tests, which look for certain health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also detect certain genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be identified by a medical professional via ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the defect.
It may not always be possible to determine the cause of the birth defect, but it is usually linked to environmental factors. This could be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating the water and air in communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes birth defects can be the result of a doctor failing to take appropriate measures to prevent or treat a recognized medical disease. In these cases, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.
Treatment
When a birth defect has been identified, the options for treatment vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born while others may require surgery or other medical procedures following the birth of the child.
Some of the most common issues are the chromosomal. They are caused by missing or extra genes within cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Birth defects with structural causes include things like cleft lip or neural tube defects as well as heart issues. They are usually caused by problems during the development of a baby’s organs, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests for birth defects may be done during pregnancy, after a baby is born or later in life when symptoms start to show. These tests can be carried out via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person may also undergo a genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are predisposed to a particular ailment.
It’s not always easy to avoid birth defects. Some are caused by complications that happen during a woman’s pregnancy, while others can be traced back to certain environmental elements. Birth defects are often caused by the use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can also be attributed to chemicals that are present in the environment. This includes pesticides and herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.
Compensation
Despite recent advances in medical science birth injuries and defects continue to be a tragic fact. Many birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child suffering from an anomaly in the birth process that could have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it’s important to talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and experienced medical malpractice attorney will help you understand your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family’s costs and losses.
Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience dealing with cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take pride in the level of service that we provide to our clients. We’ll take away the burden so that you can concentrate on yourself, your child and your entire family.
We can assist you in seeking compensation for your losses, which could include the future and past medical costs as well as lost income, punitive damages in certain instances and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly research the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.
Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and warn customers about any possible side negative effects. If the birth defects of your child resulted from a pharmaceutical drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect lawyer (Get Source).