Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice
Every four and a half minutes, one baby in the United States is born with a birth defect. These birth defects can have a lasting effect on the lives of those affected.
Variations in the way cases are classified and identified can result in the over- or under-ascertainment certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed system incorporates active case assessment, including medical record abstraction as well as a clinical review in addition to passive reporting.
Causes
If a baby is born with an injury or defect it could cause serious health issues for the child's future. Birth defects are usually the result of a medical mistake or a medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.
In some cases birth defects can be prevented by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In other instances they may be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can result from complications during pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus or rupture of the amniotic sac or a deficiency of oxygen to the foetus.
Some birth defects are caused by genetic illnesses that run in families. They can be detected with tests for blood or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses like PKU and sickle cell disease are treatable or prevented. Certain birth defects aren't identified as a cause. They are called congenital disorders, also known as congenital abnormalities.
Women over 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of having certain birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic diseases might consider consulting an expert in genetics prior to trying to become pregnant. This will aid them in determining if further testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions such as critical congenital defects, and certain infections that can be treated immediately.
Diagnosis
A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any body part which can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. A healthcare provider can detect birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born or in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable like cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial disorders and others are not as noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct that transports the bile into the liver).
Many birth defect issues can be identified by newborn screening tests that check for a variety of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening is also a way to identify certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. Healthcare professionals can identify certain birth defects using ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, based on the kind of defect.
It's not always possible to determine the source of a birth defect. However, environmental factors are often implicated. This can be due to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances contaminating water and air in communities or complications during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects are the result because a doctor did not take the proper steps to prevent or treat the occurrence of a medical condition. In these instances medical malpractice claims can be pursued.
Treatment
Treatment options for a diagnosed birth defect vary depending on the severity and nature of the defect. Certain birth defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others might require medical intervention or surgery after the baby is born.
The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. They are usually passed down from parents. Structural birth defects are things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart problems. These defects are caused due to problems with the baby's organ development particularly in the initial three month of pregnancy.
Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy, or following birth. They can also be done later in life if symptoms begin to show. These tests can be done by ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have an genetic test for
birth defect attorney defects to see whether they are predisposed to a certain condition.
Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some are caused by issues that occur during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced back to specific environmental elements. The use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy may cause
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http://https3a2Fevolv.E.l.U.pc@haedongacademy.org/, defects. Some birth defects are also caused by certain chemicals that can be 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 recent advances in medical science, birth injuries and defects are an unfortunate fact. Thankfully, many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child who has an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an expert lawyer as soon as you can. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.
Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers has many years of experience in handling cases of wrongful birth. We are a solely plaintiffs firm and take pride in the quality of service we provide to our clients. We'll take away the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you and your family.
We can assist you in seeking compensation for your losses, which could include future and past medical expenses as well as lost income, punitive damages in certain instances and
Birth Defect law firms emotional distress. Our lawyers will investigate the situation and work hard to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.
Drug manufacturers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market, and inform customers about any possible side negative effects. If, however, your child's birth defect was caused by a drug you could file a product liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defects lawyer for drugs.
