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 affected for the rest of their lives.
Different ways in which cases are identified and classified can lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain birth defects that are subtypes. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstract and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.
Causes
A baby born with an injury or defect could have long-term health consequences. Birth defects could be caused by a medical error or negligence of a doctor during pregnancy.
In some instances birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In other instances, they can be the result of environmental factors such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects can also be the result of complications that arise during pregnancy such as constriction of the uterus, rupture of the amniotic sac, or a lack of oxygen to the fetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).
Certain birth defects are caused by genetic disorders that run in families. They can be identified by a blood test or ultrasound. Some of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or xn--9i2bz3bx5fu3d8q5a.com prevented. Certain birth defects aren’t identified as a cause. They are called congenital disorders, also known as congenital abnormalities.
Women who are older than 30 and of certain ethnicities have an increased risk of developing certain birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic disorders may want to speak with a genetic counselor before attempting to get pregnant. This can help couples determine whether they’ll need additional tests. Screening tests for newborns can help identify certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections that are treatable immediately.
Diagnosis
A birth defect is an abnormal growth that affects any part of the body which can affect the way organs function or the structure of the body. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or in early childhood. Certain birth defects, such as cleft lips, palates or craniofacial anomalies, are obvious. Some, however, are not as obvious, such as congenital cardiac diseases and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct, which transports the bile to the liver).
Many birth defect issues can be identified by newborn screening tests that look for specific health problems. PKU and congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. Some birth defects can easily be identified by a healthcare provider through ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, based on the type of defect.
It’s not always possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is typically attributed to environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over the counter medications, chemical substances that are contaminating air and support.advandate.com water in communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are the result because a physician failed to take the proper steps to prevent or treat an illness that is known to be medically prone. In these instances medical malpractice lawsuits can be pursued.
Treatment
When a birth defect has been recognized, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the defect. Certain defects can be corrected prior to the birth of a baby, while others may require surgery or other medical interventions following the birth of the child.
The most frequent phoenix birth defect lawsuit defects are chromosomal, caused by missing or extra genes that are present in the cells of a person. These are typically passed down from parents. The most common structural defects are cleft lips or neural tube defects and heart issues. They are usually caused by problems with the growth of the baby’s organs, particularly during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Screening tests are performed during pregnancy, or after birth. They may also be conducted later on in life when symptoms begin to show. These tests can be conducted through ultrasounds and blood tests. One can also take an genetic test for birth defects to see whether they are prone to a particular ailment.
It is not always simple to avoid birth defects. Certain birth defects are caused by complications that occur during pregnancy, while other are linked to environmental factors. Birth defects can be caused by usage of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs during pregnancy. Certain birth defects may be linked to the presence of chemicals in the environment. These include pesticides and herbicides like Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971.
Compensation
Despite recent advances in medicine birth injuries and defects persist as a tragic fact. Fortunately many birth defects can be prevented. If you have a child with a birth defect that may have been caused by the negligence of medical professionals, it is important to talk to an skilled lawyer as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer who is understanding 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 experienced birth defect lawyers have many years of experience in settling cases involving wrongful births. We are a firm that is plaintiffs-only and take pride in the level of service that we provide to our clients. We’ll take away the burden so that you can concentrate on yourself, your child and your entire family.
We can help you pursue compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses, loss of income, punitive damages in certain circumstances and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the case and will work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.
Drug makers must thoroughly test their products before releasing them to the public, Vimeo.com and they must inform consumers about any potential side negative effects. If, however your child’s birth defect was caused by a medication that is a prescription drug you could bring a lawsuit for product liability with the help of a yakima birth defect lawyer defects drug lawyer.