Birth defects are abnormalities present at birth that cause physical or mental disability. Birth defects can be caused by genetic, environmental or unknown factors. Common birth defects can range from cleft lip to heart defects to fetal alcohol syndrome. Today, many birth defects can be diagnosed in the womb and failure to diagnose birth defects may constitute medical malpractice and you may be eligible for a birth defect lawsuit.
Prenatal screening is testing for abnormalities in the fetus or embryo before it is born, usually during an ultrasound. Prenatal screening helps detect birth defects. By detecting birth defects prenatally, physicians can prepare for medical or surgical treatment of a condition before or after birth. Parents can be prepared psychologically and medically for a baby diagnosed with a condition, and they may be given the option of aborting a fetus with a diagnosed birth defect.
Sometimes birth defects aren’t discovered until birth because tests weren’t able to detect the condition prior to delivery. Depending on the case or condition of the child, a medical malpractice case may be necessary. Many birth defects that weren’t present prenatally can develop within the first few days after birth. Some cases, mostly cognitive or functional birth defects) may be delayed for weeks, months or even years.
Physicians may give a prenatal or postnatal birth defect diagnosis to determine the baby’s condition. This test also reveals the most likely cause of the birth defect. For cases where preventable environmental factors were involved, you may be eligible to pursue a birth defect lawsuit. If your child’s birth defect could have been diagnosed in the womb, please contact a medical malpractice attorney to discuss your options and eligibility for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Resources:
http://www.malpracticemedicalattorney.com/practice-areas.html