10 Wrong Answers To Common Birth Defect Attorneys Questions: Do You Know The Correct Answers

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 defects can have a lifelong effect on the lives of those affected.

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

Causes

When the baby is born with a defect or injury it could have serious health effects on the child for life. Birth defects are usually the result of a medical mistake or a medical error made by a doctor during pregnancy.

In some cases, birth defects can be avoided by prenatal care and the right nutrition. In some instances birth defects, they can be caused through environmental factors like exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins. Birth defects are also caused by complications that occur during pregnancy like uterine constraint, rupture of the amniotic sac, or the lack of oxygen to the foetus (also called anoxic brain injury).

Some birth defects are the result of genetic disorders that run in families. These can be identified with the use of a blood test or an ultrasound. Some of these diseases, such as PKU and sickle cell disease, can be treated or prevented. Other birth defects have no known cause and are referred to as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders.

Women who are over 30 and of certain ethnicities are at a higher risk for some birth defects. Couples who have a similar family history of genetic illness might want to talk to a genetic counselor prior to become pregnant. This can help them determine if additional testing is required. Screening tests for newborn babies can detect certain conditions, such as critical congenital heart defects and certain infections, that can be treated as soon as they are identified.

Diagnosis

A birth defect is an abnormal growth that can affect any part of the body which can affect the way organs work or the structure of the body. A healthcare professional can spot birth defects during pregnancy and after the baby is born or during early childhood. Some birth defects are noticeable, like cleft lips and palates or craniofacial anomalies however others are more noticeable, like congenital heart disease and biliary atresia (an obstruction of the duct which carries the bile into the liver).

Many birth defects are diagnosed by newborn screening tests, which check for specific health problems. PKU Congenital Hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease are just a few of the conditions that can be detected through newborn screening tests. Newborn screening is also used to detect genetic conditions like Down syndrome. Some birth defects can easily be identified by a doctor or healthcare professional using ultrasounds and blood tests in pregnancy, depending on the type of defect.

It's not always easy to determine the root of a birth defect. However the environment is often associated with. This can include exposures to prescription or over the counter drugs, chemical substances that pollute the water and air in communities, or complications arising during pregnancy or during delivery. Sometimes, birth defects are due to a physician not taking the proper steps to stop or treat a recognizable medical disease. In these cases medical malpractice claims could be pursued.

Treatment

Treatment options for a birth defect vary depending on the severity and type of birth defect. Certain birth defect attorneys (have a peek here) defects can be corrected before the baby is born. Others might require medical or surgical intervention after the baby is born.

Some of the most common problems are the chromosomal. These are caused by extra or missing genes within cells of a person. These are often inherited from parents. Structural birth defects include things like cleft lip, neural tube defects and heart problems. These defects are caused by problems with the development of organs in the baby particularly during the first three month of pregnancy.

Screening tests for birth defects may be done during the pregnancy process, after a baby is born, or later in life, Birth defect attorneys when symptoms begin to appear. These tests can be carried out via ultrasounds or blood tests. A person can also have a genetic test for birth defects in order to determine whether they are susceptible to a particular ailment.

Preventing birth defects is not always easy. Some birth defects result from complications that arise during pregnancy, while other can be traced back to environmental factors. The consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy could lead to birth defects. Some birth defects are related to chemicals that are present in the environment, including herbicides and pesticides, for instance as Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971.

Compensation

Despite the recent advances in medical science, birth defects and injuries are still a tragic reality. Thankfully most birth defects are preventable. It is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer if you suspect birth defects could have been caused due to the negligence of medical professionals. An empathetic and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can help you comprehend your legal options and seek compensation for your family's expenses and losses.

Our team of highly skilled birth defect lawyers have years of experience in handling cases involving wrongful births. Our firm is a law firm that only accepts plaintiffs practice and we are proud on the exceptional service we offer to our clients. We'll take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your child and your family.

We can assist you in seeking compensation for damages such as past and future medical expenses as well as loss of income, punitive damages in some instances and emotional stress. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the case and work tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the best possible result.

Drug makers must test their products thoroughly before releasing their products to the market, and also warn consumers of any possible side effects. If your child's birth defects resulted from a drug, you may file a product-liability lawsuit with the help of a birth defect lawyer.