How to Recognize Birth Defects Caused by Malpractice

An estimated 1 in 33 babies is born with birth defects each year in the United States based on recent reports from the medical sector. Although many birth defects occur naturally, quite a few can be prevented with the right measures either before conception or during pregnancy. Some, though, are the result of mistakes or negligence during pregnancy or delivery. They can have serious lifelong repercussions for victims and their families, and they're almost always preventable.

When a child's birth defect is caused by medical professionals' errors, the situation can be particularly painful for parents. After all, the very people they trusted with their baby's health and safety ultimately breached that trust. Ensuring families receive justice and compensation for the wrongs that were committed is crucial. Proving that medical professionals are responsible for birth defects can be particularly difficult, but hiring a lawyer can greatly improve the outcome of a malpractice case.

Signs That a Birth Defect May Be Caused by Malpractice

Birth defects caused by malpractice happen when a medical professional fails to meet the standard of care during pregnancy or during or just after birth. Several issues can lead to birth defects. By extension, they can lead to malpractice cases.

Inadequate Monitoring During Pregnancy

For one, inadequate monitoring during pregnancy may qualify as malpractice. An example of this type of error would be failing to schedule enough ultrasounds. Ultrasounds can provide valuable insight into a fetus's health and development and pinpoint potential problems. Most women receive two ultrasounds during pregnancy, one between 6 and 9 weeks and another between 18 and 22 weeks. For high-risk pregnancies and cases in which the mother suffers from serious medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, ultrasounds should generally be performed more frequently.

Other types of testing can also pinpoint certain conditions that may cause birth defects. Those may include preeclampsia tests during pregnancy or screenings for strep B infection in late pregnancy. Proper testing can potentially allow physicians to address those conditions and mitigate their effects in some cases.

Errors Made During Delivery

Errors being made during delivery can cause birth defects as well. Failing to monitor fetal health or notice signs of fetal distress during labor and delivery can cause birth injuries. Delaying a C-section and improperly using tools to assist with delivery can also cause serious complications.

Improperly Explaining Risks

Additionally, doctors failing to properly explain the risks certain medications or procedures can pose for unborn babies may qualify as malpractice. Medical professionals are required to thoroughly inform their patients of potential risks and ensure they fully understand those dangers. If they fail to do so and that shortcoming causes birth defects or injuries, parents may have a malpractice case.

Unexplained Birth Defects or Injuries

Furthermore, unexplained or unexpected birth defects or injuries are often the result of medical errors. If a baby suffers from a birth defect but no signs of the problem were evident during pregnancy, it's likely the result of malpractice. Along those same lines, if a birth defect or injury has no other reasonable explanation, medical errors are likely to blame.

Seeking Justice for Birth Defects Caused by Malpractice

When a child is born with a birth defect or sustains serious injuries during delivery due to medical negligence, the results can be devastating. In many cases, the conditions or injuries are irreversible. They have lifelong implications for the child as well as his or her family. Making sure the medical professionals who are responsible are held accountable for their negligence and that the victims receive the compensation they deserve is crucial. A malpractice attorney can help to ensure justice is served.