Infant Omphalocele Lawyers in Chicago
In only about one out of every 5,000 live births, an omphalocele (also known as exomphalos) occurs. This congenital birth defect is somewhat similar to gastroschisis in that it involves a malformation of the abdominal wall.
During pregnancy, it is normal for fetal organs to develop outside the abdomen temporarily. However, if they do not subsequently return to the abdomen, an omphalocele may occur. This is when organs — such as the liver, intestines, or others — develop outside the abdomen inside a transparent sac located at the base of the umbilical cord.
Certain classes of antidepressant drugs have now been linked to omphalocele, a condition in which portions of a baby's abdominal contents grow inside an umbilical cord sac outside the body during gestation. If your child was born with omphalocele, the Chicago birth injury lawyers at Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC may be able to help secure support for your child's future. Contact us at (312) 243-9922 for a free consultation.
Potential Medical Problems Tied to Omphalocele
Because the baby's body develops without certain organs contained inside, the abdominal cavity may not grow to a normal size. Other potential problems, such as infection, may occur, especially if the sac becomes broken. Decreased blood flow may also result if an organ becomes twisted or pinched, which can cause additional damage.
Causes of Omphalocele
Although pinpointing the exact cause of any congenital birth defect is always somewhat uncertain, there are risk factors and causes that appear to be linked to the presence of an omphalocele. These causes may include:
- Tobacco and alcohol use: Heavy smokers and alcohol users are at greater risk of having a baby with this condition.
- Obesity: Mothers who were overweight or obese before becoming pregnant are also at greater risk.
- Particular medications: Users of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Paxil or Zoloft are also at greater risk.
Medical Malpractice Claims for Omphalocele
Sometimes an omphalocele occurs for unknown reasons. But other times, this congenital birth defect may be the result of medical malpractice when certain drugs are prescribed, or not advised against, during pregnancy. In such circumstances, an experienced injury attorney can file a lawsuit seeking compensation to help reduce the financial burden on the family.
Medical malpractice may also occur when a doctor fails to correctly perform diagnostic testing, such as an ultrasound, during pregnancy, and the abnormality is either misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. This failure may complicate the baby's medical condition, leading to additional problems. A doctor or surgeon may also commit negligence by failing to properly treat the condition or properly perform surgery to correct it.
In essence, whenever a medical provider has either contributed to the occurrence of the birth defect, failed to diagnose it correctly, or failed to treat it properly after birth, medical malpractice has likely occurred, and a lawsuit may be the best way to pursue justice.
Reach Out to a Chicago Infant Omphalocele Attorney for Help
Congenital birth defects affect thousands of babies every year. If you believe your doctor could have prevented your child's condition, or should have known about it or alerted you and was negligent in failing to do so, contact a Chicago medical malpractice attorney at Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC. Since 1990, our attorneys have been helping families through difficult situations and securing the maximum financial compensation to help ease their burden. Millions have been recovered for our clients, and no fees apply unless we are successful on your behalf. Call us now at (312) 243-9922 for free information, available 24 hours a day.
