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 have a lasting effect on the lives of the affected.

Differences in how cases are identified and classified can lead to either under or over-ascertaining certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed system includes active case ascertainment that includes medical record abstraction and clinical review and passive reporting.

Causes

A baby born with injuries or defects could have long-term health consequences. Birth defects are usually caused by medical error or negligent doctor during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be prevented by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In certain instances birth defects, they can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to toxic chemicals or toxins. Birth problems can be caused by complications during pregnancy, such as uterine constriction, rupture of the amniotic fluid sac or a lack of oxygen in the fetus.

Some birth defects are caused by genetic disorders which run in families. These can be detected by an ultrasound or blood test. Certain of these diseases can be treated or prevented, such as PKU, sickle cell disease and cleft lip and palate. Other birth defects have no cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women over the age of 30 and women of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk of birth defects. Couples with the same genetic disorders may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. This will aid them in determining if further testing is necessary. Screening tests for newborns can be used to determine certain conditions, like congenital defects that are critical and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any body part, affecting the way that organs function or the structure of the body. Birth defects can be identified by a healthcare professional during pregnancy, during birth or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects are visible such as cleft lips and palates, or craniofacial disorders however others are more evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct carrying the bile into the liver).

Many birth defect conditions are diagnosed through newborn screening tests that look for some kinds of health problems. These include PKU, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Newborn screening also looks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare provider can diagnose some east chicago birth defect lawyer defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy as well as blood tests, depending on the kind of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of a birth defect. However the environment is often implicated. These include exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water of communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or delivery. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a physician failed to make the necessad. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect that a birth defect may be the result of the negligence of medical experts. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers have years of experience handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take great pride in the quality of service we offer 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 pursuing compensation for damages such as future and past medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages in certain circumstances and emotional distress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and will work tirelessly to ensure the most favorable outcome for your family.

Drug manufacturers are expected to thoroughly test their products before releasing them on the market and to inform consumers of possible adverse reactions. However, if your child's natchitoches birth defect law firm defect was caused by a drug, you could start a lawsuit based on product liability with the assistance of a birth defect drug lawyer.