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 honesdale birth defect lawsuit defects can impact the lives of those affected for a lifetime.

Different ways in which cases are identified and classified can result in an over- or under-ascertainment of certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed system can include active case ascertainment, including medical record abstraction and clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect or injury, it could have serious health consequences for the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects can result from medical errors or negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In some cases birth defects is prevented by the prenatal care and a healthy diet. In certain instances birth defects may be caused by environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may be the result of complications in pregnancy, such as uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the fetus.

Some birth defects result from genetic diseases that run in families. These are easily detected with a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these illnesses are treatable or preventable by a doctor, for example PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects are not known to have a origin and are referred to as congenital disorders or congenital anomalies.

Women who are older than 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with the same history of genetic diseases might want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to get pregnant. This will help couples determine whether they require further testing. Newborn screening tests are able to identify certain conditions, like critical congenital defects and certain infections that could be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part, affecting the way that organs work or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be identified by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, at tempe birth defect lawsuit or in the early stages of childhood. Some birth defects are visible like cleft lips, craniofacial anomalies or palates, while others are less conspicuous such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be detected by newborn screening tests which check for specific health issues. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be identified by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests during pregnancy, based on the type of defect.

It's not always certain what caused a birth defect, however it is often associated with environmental factors. This can include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that pollute the air and water of communities, or complications during pregnancy or the birth. Other times, birth defects are the result of a doctor not taking the proper steps to avoid or treat a medical condition. In these cases the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect vary depending on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others may require surgery or medical intervention after the baby is born.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal, resultant from the absence of or extra genes in a person's cells. These are often inherited from parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found and neural tube defects and heart problems. These birth defects are caused by issues with the baby's organ development particularly in the initial three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests may be performed during pregnancy, or following birth. They can also be done later in life if signs begin to show. These tests can be performed through ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have an genetic test for birth defects to see if they are predisposed to a particular condition.

It's not always easy to prevent birth defects. Some are due to issues that occur during the pregnancy of a woman, while others can be traced back to specific environmental elements. Birth defects can be caused by the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects are related to chemicals that can be found in the environment, such as herbicides and pesticides such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advancements in medicine, birth injuries and defects persist as an unfortunate fact. Fortunately many birth defects can be avoided. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect the birth defect could be due to the negligence of medical experts. A medical malpractice lawyer who is compassionate and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of knowledgeable birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling the claims of wrongful birth. We are a plaintiffs-only firm and take pride in the quality of service we offer our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can focus on your child, you and your family.

We can help you obtain compensation for any damages, including past and future medical costs as well as lost income, punitive damages in certain instances, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and work diligently to ensure that your family gets the best possible result.

Drug manufacturers are expected to test their products thoroughly before putting them on the market and to warn consumers of the potential adverse effects. If your child's birth defect was caused by a medication that is a prescription drug you could file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a hopewell birth defect lawsuit defects lawyer for drugs.