Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

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

Different classifications and identifiers of cases may result in an under- or overestimated number of birth defects. A well-designed system can include active case ascertainment that includes medical record abstraction and clinical review, in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

When a baby is born with a defect or injury, it can cause serious health problems for the child's life. Birth defects can be caused by an error in medicine or the negligence of doctors during pregnancy.

In certain cases birth defects can be avoided by taking care of prenatal care and a proper nutrition. In other cases, they can be the result of environmental factors like exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects may be the result of complications in pregnancy, such as constriction of the uterus or rupture of the sac of amniotic fluid 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 a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these illnesses can be prevented or treated by a doctor, for example PKU as well as sickle cell diseases and cleft lip and palate. Certain birth defects aren't identified as a cause. They are referred to as congenital disorders, or congenital abnormalities.

Women who are over 30 and are of certain ethnicities are at an increased risk of having certain birth defects. Couples with a similar family history of genetic disorders may consider seeing an expert in genetics prior to trying to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo further testing. Newborn screening tests can identify certain conditions, like critical congenital heart defects, as well as certain infections, that are treatable immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormally shaped growths that can affect any part of the human body. They can affect the way organs function, or the structure of a person. Birth defects can be detected by a healthcare professional during the pregnancy process, at birth, or even in the early years of childhood. Some birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates or craniofacial irregularities are visible. Others aren't as obvious as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct, which transports the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests, which check for specific health issues. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle Cell Disease are just a few of the conditions that can be diagnosed through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic disorders like Down syndrome. Certain birth defects can be detected by a medical professional through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the condition.

It may not always be certain 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 water and air in communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or birth. Sometimes, birth defects occur because a doctor did not take the proper steps to prevent or treat the occurrence of a medical condition. In these instances, a claim for medical malpractice could be filed.

Treatment

Treatment options for a suspected birth defect are based on its severity and type. Some can be corrected before a baby is born, while others may require surgery or other medical procedures following the birth of the child.

Some of the most common birth defects are chromosomal. due to missing or additional genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are typically passed down from parents. Structural defects include cleft lips, neural tube defects, and heart problems. These are typically caused by problems during the development of a baby's organs, particularly during the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests may be performed in the course of pregnancy or after birth. They can also be performed later in life if symptoms begin to manifest. These tests are conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. A person can also have genetic tests for birth defects to see whether they are predisposed to a particular ailment.

Preventing birth defects isn't always easy. Some are caused by complications that occur during a woman's pregnancy while others can be traced to certain environmental elements. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are also due to chemicals that are found in the natural environment, including pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advancements in medicine birth injuries and defects remain an unsettling fact. Thankfully many birth defects can be prevented. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect the birth defect could be the result of the negligence of medical professionals. A medical malpractice lawyer who is knowledgeable and compassionate can help you understand the legal options that you have and pursue compensation for the loss of your family as well as expenses.

Our team of expert birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a solely plaintiff-only law practice and we are proud on the quality of service we offer to our clients. We'll relieve you of the burden so that you can concentrate on your child, you and your family.

We can help you obtain compensation for damages, such as future and past medical expenses as well as lost income, punitive damages in certain instances and emotional stress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family gets the best possible outcome.

Drug manufacturers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and warn customers about any possible side negative effects. However, if your child's birth defect was caused by a pharmaceutical medication, you could file a product liability lawsuit with the assistance of a birth defect lawyer (Www.plantsg.com.sg) defects drug lawyer.