10 Things We All Are Hating About Birth Defect Attorneys

Birth Defects and Medical Malpractice

In the United States, a baby is born with a defect every four and a quarter minutes. These birth defects could have a lasting impact on the lives of the affected.

Differences in how cases are classified and identified could lead to the over- or under-ascertainment certain subtypes of birth defects. A well-designed surveillance program uses active case ascertainment (including medical record abstraction and clinical review) in addition to passive reporting.

Causes

If the baby is born with a defect or injury it can have serious health consequences for the child's health for the rest of their lives. Birth defects are usually caused by medical error or mistake made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defects can be avoided with prenatal care and proper nutrition. In certain instances, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals or toxic substances. Birth defects can also be caused by complications that arise during pregnancy like constriction of the uterus rupture of the amniotic sac or a lack of oxygen to the foetus (also known as anoxic brain injury).

Certain birth defects result from genetic disorders that are passed down through families. These are easily detected with the use of ultrasound or a blood test. Some of these diseases like PKU and sickle cell disease can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects (simply click the up coming site) are not known to have a cause and are referred to as congenital abnormalities or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and who belong to certain ethnicities are at an increased chance of having birth defects. Couples with an identical history of genetic diseases may wish to consult a genetic counsellor before attempting to have a baby. This can help couples determine whether they should undergo additional tests. Screening tests for newborns can be used to detect certain conditions, such as congenital abnormalities that are critical, and certain infections that can be treated immediately.

Diagnosis

Birth defects are abnormal growths that may affect any part of the human body. They can impact the way organs function, or the structure of a person. A healthcare professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy as well as after the baby is born or in early childhood. Some birth defects are visible, like cleft lips and craniofacial anomalies or palates while others are less evident, such as congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects can be detected by newborn screening tests that look for specific health problems. PKU congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are among the conditions that can be identified through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening also checks for certain genetic diseases like Down syndrome. A healthcare professional can detect some birth defects through ultrasounds during pregnancy and blood tests, based on the kind of defect.

It's not always possible to determine the cause of birth defects, but it is often associated with environmental factors. This could include exposure to prescription or over the counter medicines, chemical substances that contaminate the air and water in communities, or complications that arise during pregnancy or the birth. Other times, birth defects are due to a physician failing to take appropriate measures to stop or treat a recognizable medical health condition. In these cases the possibility of a claim for medical malpractice might be filed.

Treatment

When a birth defect has been recognized, the treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the defect. Some birth defects can be rectified before the baby is born. Others might require medical intervention or surgery after the baby is born.

A majority of birth defects are chromosomal, resulting from missing or extra genes in a person's cells. These are usually inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip and neural tube defects, as well as heart issues. These birth defects are caused by issues with the organ development of the baby especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects can be done during pregnancy, after a child is born, or later on in life when symptoms start to show. These tests can be conducted by ultrasounds or blood tests. One can also take genetic tests for birth defects to see whether they are prone to a particular condition.

Preventing birth defects isn't always straightforward. Some birth defects are caused by complications that happen during pregnancy, while other can be linked to environmental factors. The use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could result in birth defects. Some birth defects are also related to chemicals that are found in the environment, including pesticides and herbicides, such as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medicine, birth defects and injuries remain a tragic fact. Thankfully most birth defects are preventable. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical experts. A compassionate and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can assist you in understanding your legal options and seek compensation to cover your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of skilled birth defect lawyers has years of experience in handling cases of birth defects that are not correct. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice and we are proud on the quality of service we offer to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in pursuing compensation for losses, including past and future medical expenses and income loss, punitive damages in certain circumstances, and emotional distress. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and work diligently to achieve the best result for your family.

Drug makers must ensure that their products are tested thoroughly before releasing them on the market, and inform consumers of any possible side effects. If your child's birth defects were caused by a prescription drug, you may make a claim for product liability with the help of a birth defect lawyer.