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 birth defects can impact the lives of those who are affected for the rest of their lives.
Different classifications and methods of identifying cases can lead to an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system will include active case assessment, including medical record abstraction and a clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.
Causes
A baby born with injuries or defects could be ill-health for a long time. Birth defects are usually caused by a medical mistake or a negligent doctor during pregnancy.
In certain cases, birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In some cases birth defects can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that arise during pregnancy like the uterine limit, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).
Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that are passed down through families. They can be identified by an ultrasound or blood test. Some of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no known reason and are classified as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.
Women who are over 30 and of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illness might want to consult an expert in genetics prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples decide whether they require additional tests. Screening tests for newborns can be used to identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that could be treated right away.
Diagnosis
Birth defects are abnormal growths that could affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function or the structure of a person. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy or after the baby is born, or in early childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable, like cleft lips and craniofacial abnormalities and others are not as evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).
Many birth defect-related conditions can be detected through newborn screening tests that check for a variety of health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the diseases that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic conditions like Down syndrome. A doctor can detect certain birth defect law firms defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.
It’s not always possible to know what caused birth defects, 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 air and water of communities, or complications that occur during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects occur due to a medical professional failing to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent a known medical condition. In these instances medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.
Treatment
If a birth defect is identified, the options for treatment differ depending on the nature and severity of the condition. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require surgery or medical intervention after the baby is born.
The most frequent defects are the chromosomal. These are caused by missing or extra genes within cells of a person. These are often inherited from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found and neural tube defects and heart problems. They are usually caused by problems during the development of a baby’s organs, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.
Screening tests can be performed during pregnancy, or following birth. They are also able to be done later in life if symptoms begin to show. The tests can be conducted via ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take genetic tests for birth defects to see if they are predisposed to a particular ailment.
Preventing birth defect attorneys – https://Hificafesg.com/index.Php?action=Profile;U=263897, defects isn’t always straightforward. Some are caused by issues that occur during a woman’s pregnancy 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 caused by certain chemicals that can be found in the surrounding 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 are still a tragic reality. Thankfully the majority of birth defects can be prevented. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could be due to the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding and compassionate can help you comprehend the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for the losses of your family and expenses.
Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling wrongful birth cases. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take pride in the quality of service we provide our clients. We’ll relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child and your entire family.
We can assist you in obtaining compensation for your losses, which could include the future and past medical costs and lost income, as well as punitive damages in certain instances as well as emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to test their products thoroughly prior to releasing them onto the market, and to inform consumers about the possibility of adverse side effects. If your child’s birth defect was due to a pharmaceutical drug you could make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer for drugs.
