About 1 in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect in the United States. There are more than 4,000 different birth defects. Birth defects can be minor and require no medical attention, or they can be severe and require medical or surgical treatment. Some different categories of birth defects include structural birth defects, metabolic birth defects, and chromosomal birth defects. Some birth defects can be prevented through proper prenatal care. Other birth defects are more likely to develop based on a woman’s age.
Some birth defects can be detected through prenatal screening. During the first trimester of pregnancy, there are two types of screenings. One is an ultrasound for fetal nuchal translucency—to check the fetal neck for increased fluid or thickening. The other test involves drawing the mother’s blood. Blood samples reflect levels of the PAPP-A protein (a protein produced by the placenta) and levels of the hCG hormone (a hormone produced by the placenta). Abnormal levels of this protein and hormone are associated with chromosomal defects. Abnormal test results should flag doctors and lead to more thorough examinations. During the second trimester of pregnancy, prenatal screenings should come often and in the form of blood tests. These blood tests check levels of the AFP protein and levels of three different hormones: hCG, estriol, and inhibin. Again, any abnormal test results will require further testing.
It is important to know that these tests are not designed to diagnose birth defects. Rather, the screenings signal when further testing is necessary. These screenings allow parents and doctors to consider the options and prepare for the future. In 2016, the total number of births in Los Angeles was 122,500. Almost 18,000 pregnant women do not see their obstetricians (OBGYN) to receive the proper prenatal care necessary to ensure fetal health. Over 4,000 babies are born with a birth defect every year. Birth defects can also result in stillbirths.
If your OBGYN missed the diagnosis of a birth defect, missed prenatal testing, or gave you an incorrect reading of prenatal tests, you may need to contact a skilled attorney who has experience in birth defect claims in Los Angeles. The top-rated Normandie Law Firm’s accomplished lawyers with experience handling pregnancy malpractice claims will help you sue the doctor for missing the diagnosis of a birth defect.
Examples of Birth Defects
The number of different birth defects is well over 4,000. Some of the more common defects include twin transfusion syndrome, congenital heart defects, cleft palate, Down syndrome, stomach defects, malformation, and deformation. Here is a list of other birth defects:
- Phenylketonuria (PKU): PKU is a genetic birth defect that occurs when abnormal or mutated PAH gene is passed on to the fetus from both the mother and the father. About 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 births will lead to a diagnosis of PKU. PKU prevents the body from breaking down the phenylalanine protein. If this protein is not broken down properly, it builds up in the blood and causes problems in the brain.
- Spina bifida: Spina bifida is a neural tube defect due to the spinal column not closing completely during the first month of pregnancy. Spina bifida occurs in about 1,500 pregnancies per year. This birth defect can result in very serious effects like paralysis and learning disabilities.
- Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS): HGPS, or Progeria, is a genetic defect that is seen in 1 of 4 to 8 million newborns. The condition is caused by a genetic mutation at the time of conception. This rare condition is characterized by excessive aging. Although the defect may not be visible during the first couple of years of a child’s life, the child may soon begin showering the characteristics: stiffness in joints, aged skin, loss of body hair, hip dislocation, stroke, and heart disease. People with Progeria are not expected to live past 14 years old.
- Turner Syndrome: Turner syndrome is a chromosomal defect that only affects females. Turner’s syndrome affects ovarian function; therefore, those with Turner’s never undergo puberty naturally. Turner’s syndrome occurs in about 1 of every 2,500 female births.
All of the fetal birth defects listed above can be identified through the proper prenatal screening. In the event of a missed diagnosis, you may be able to earn compensation; consult with an expert lawyer experienced in pregnancy malpractice cases for more information.
Wrongful Birth
Wrongful birth is when parents claim that they may have avoided or ended the pregnancy if they would have known about the fetus’s defects. What may have resulted in a wrongful birth? Medical negligence might result in the failure to detect a birth defect.
There are two possible reasons behind a wrongful birth claim.
- There was negligent genetic testing before conception. Many people interested in becoming parents for the first time go through extensive genetic testing to ensure that their future children are born without any defects. The results of their genetic tests might influence whether or not they choose to pursue a pregnancy.
- There was obstetrician failure to diagnose the birth defect in the early stages of pregnancy. A missed diagnosis of a birth defect can result in parents being burdened with the stress that comes with certain defects.
Some parents may not be emotionally or financially ready to handle any stress and expenses associated with a child’s disorder. Therefore, doctors should inform the parents of the birth defects so that the parents can decide if they want to terminate the pregnancy.
If you were pregnant and gave birth to a child with a birth defect without prior warnings from doctors, you may be eligible to be compensated for the costs associated raising the child and treating his or her condition. You should contact a qualified attorney with expertise in wrongful birth injury lawsuits in Los Angeles as soon as possible.
Birth Injury
A birth injury is a type of birth-related medical malpractice. Birth injuries, in contrast to birth defects, are preventable. A birth injury can usually be traced back to one cause. Birth injuries can be caused by birth or during birth.
Birth injuries caused before birth can occur because of a doctor’s actions. For example, a doctor can administer the wrong type or wrong amount of medication during pregnancy. This can undeniably affect the health of the fetus. The doctor may also fail to perform an emergency cesarean surgery. This may cause unnecessary stress on the unborn child and lead to injuries.
Birth injuries caused during birth include the doctor not properly handling the infant. This might include pulling or twisting the infant during delivery. Birth-assisting tools are sometimes necessary for difficult births. These tools—like forceps or vacuum extraction tools—may cause injuries to the infant. The doctor may also fail to monitor the infant for distress throughout delivery. For example, the umbilical cord may have become tangled around the infant’s neck causing the infant’s to begin suffocating. Proper monitoring would quickly identify a lowered heartbeat and would allow the doctor to proceed differently with delivery to avoid any permanent damage. Cerebral Palsy is one of the most common conditions caused as a result of birth injuries.
If your infant was injured during his or her birth, you need to contact one of our attorneys with experience in birth defect cases in Los Angeles.
File a Claim
Finding out about a pregnancy and about becoming parents can be a very stressful time for some people. Finding out your unborn baby has birth defect can cause an increased level of stress in new parents. Finding out that your healthy baby was injured during birth can be traumatic. At one of the top legal groups in Los Angeles, Normandie Law Firm, we understand how much this can affect you. We are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that you have the best legal representation possible. You will need to talk to a pregnancy malpractice lawyer in Los Angeles, California to get more information regarding your case. A medical malpractice lawyer in Los Angeles, California will help you fight for your child’s rights.
Normandie Law Firm provides clients with the best pregnancy malpractice lawyers. Our lawyers will fight for you and your child. Contact Normandie Law Firm as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation. If you already have an attorney at another law firm, you can contact us to schedule a free second opinion. You may not be satisfied with the way your existing attorney is handling your case. If you feel like your existing attorney is not invested in your case, contact us now. Our clients always get personalized treatment; we care about our clients and their situations. Let our experienced lawyers help you fight for your rights.
We offer our clients the peace of mind they need during these stressful times. Our Zero-Fee guarantee ensures that our clients do not have to worry about having to pay any upfront fees. Additionally, our contingency-fee structure means that you will not pay anything for our legal services until our birth defect malpractice attorneys win your case. Contact Normandie Law Firm as soon as possible to speak with an experienced attorney.
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