What Is the Difference Between a Birth Defect and a Birth Injury?

As a new parent, you may have received the challenging and upsetting news that your baby developed a birth defect or sustained a birth injury. When this happens, it’s essential to know the difference between birth injuries vs. birth defects, understand the implications, and know your family’s rights.

Birth Defect vs. Birth Injury

Birth defects are conditions that develop while the baby is still in the womb. These conditions can arise due to genetic factors, environmental influences, or a combination of both. Birth defects may include physical anomalies like a cleft lip or palate, spinal conditions such as spina bifida, or chromosomal disorders like Down syndrome. These defects can affect a child’s appearance, organ function, or overall health. While some birth defects are minor and may require little to no intervention, others are more severe. Some children face lifelong challenges that have to be managed through ongoing medical care, therapy, or surgeries.

In contrast, birth injuries refer to physical harm a baby sustains during labor or delivery. Unlike birth defects, birth injuries typically result from complications in the birthing process. Childbirth injuries may occur due to prolonged labor, misuse of delivery tools like vacuum extractors or forceps, failure to monitor the baby’s oxygen levels, and other medical errors. Birth injuries may include physical trauma such as skull fractures, nerve damage leading to paralysis (like Erb’s palsy), or conditions like cerebral palsy caused by oxygen deprivation during delivery.

What Causes Birth Defects?

While some birth defects are genetic, others may result from external factors. Harmful substances, infections, and medications can interfere with fetal development and increase the risk of birth defects. Birth defects may result from any of the following:

• Genetic mutations or inherited conditions
• Exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy, like specific medications, chemicals, or infections
• Poor maternal health, including uncontrolled diabetes or nutritional deficiencies

There are also instances where congenital disabilities have unknown causes or no apparent explanation. However, a preventable medical error, such as prescribing a dangerous drug to a pregnant patient, can give rise to a birth defects lawsuit. If you believe that medical negligence may have played a role in your child’s condition, consult an experienced lawyer to discuss your concerns and better understand your legal options.

What Birth Defects Are Caused by Birth Injuries?

Some conditions begin as a birth injury but later present as a birth defect. For example, lack of oxygen during delivery can cause brain damage, which may lead to cerebral palsy or other neurological disorders. In these cases, the difference between a birth injury or birth defect can be complex.

Medical records and expert analysis can help determine whether a child’s condition was caused by a preventable mistake during delivery. If a doctor, nurse, or hospital failed to provide proper care, they may be responsible for the harm your child suffered.

Contact an Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer for Help

The compassionate legal team at the Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson focuses solely on medical malpractice cases and has years of experience handling claims against negligent healthcare providers. Attorney Kelley J. Johnson works closely with medical experts to build strong cases for families affected by birth injuries and birth defects. She deeply understands the legal system and fights for parents seeking justice and fair compensation. A birth injury or medical-related defect can impact a child for life. If you have questions about your legal options, call or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.