Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

Every four and an hour, one baby in the United States is born with an anomaly in the birth process. These birth defects can impact the lives of those who are affected for a lifetime.

Different classifications and methods of identifying cases may result in an over- or under-estimated number of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance system makes use of active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with an injury or defect may have long-term health effects. Birth defects are often the result of medical error or mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some instances birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In other cases they could result from environmental factors like exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxins. Birth defects may also be caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, such as the uterine restriction, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects are the result of genetic diseases that run in families. They can be identified by a blood test or ultrasound. Certain of these ailments like PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Some birth defects are not known to be the cause. They are referred to as congenital disorders, also known as congenital abnormalities.

Women over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities have an increased risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples who share a family history of genetic illnesses may consider seeing a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. This can aid them in determining if further testing is needed. Screening tests for newborns are able to detect certain conditions like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that could be treated right away.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any part of the body, affecting the way that organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects are often detected by a doctor during pregnancy, at birth or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, like cleft lips, palates, or craniofacial abnormalities, are apparent. Some, however, aren't as obvious, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstructing of the duct, which transports the bile into the liver).

Many scottsdale birth defect law firm defect-related conditions can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests that check for certain types of health issues. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are among the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening can also be used to detect genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can be detected by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the type of defect.

It may not always be possible to know what caused a birth defect, however it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating the air and water in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are the result because a physician failed to take the appropriate steps to treat or prevent the occurrence of a medical condition. In these cases, medical malpractice claims may be pursued.

Treatment

If a birth defect is recognized, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the defect. Some defects can be addressed before the baby is born while others might require surgery or other medical procedures following the birth of the child.

The most frequent birth defects are chromosomal. resultant from the absence of or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. They usually come from the parents. Cleft lips are among the structural defects that can be found or neural tube defects and heart problems. They are usually caused by problems with the growth of the baby's body organs, especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests can be conducted during pregnancy, or after birth. They may also be conducted later on in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be conducted via ultrasounds and blood tests. The patient can also undergo a genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are susceptible to a particular ailment.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some are due to complications that happen during a woman's pregnancy, while others can be traced to certain environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy. Some birth defects can be caused by chemicals that are found in the environment. These include pesticides and herbalicides such as Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.

Compensation

Despite recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic reality. Fortunately most birth defects can be avoided. If you have a child suffering from an anomaly in the birth process that could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to speak to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is caring and knowledgeable can assist you in understanding the legal options that are available to you and seek compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience dealing with wrongful birth cases. Our firm is a plaintiff-only practice, and we take pride on the high level of service we offer to our clients. We'll help you get rid of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, and your family.

We can help you seek compensation for your losses, which could include past and future medical costs and lost income, as well as punitive damage in some cases as well as emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and work hard to ensure the best possible outcome for your family.

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and also warn customers about any possible side negative effects. If the birth defects of your child were caused by a pharmaceutical drug, you can file a product-liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect drug lawyer.