Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Involving Cystic Fibrosis

Because of advanced diagnostic techniques that are now available, many genetic disorders can now be detected during pregnancy.

For example, cystic fibrosis can be diagnosed during pregnancy, but when a doctor does not offer genetic counseling and fails to diagnose it and the child is born with cystic fibrosis, the doctor may be held liable.

Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder characterized by lung problems that can limit a person’s lifespan to about 30-40 years. The baby is born with overactive mucus glands, and the abnormal or overactive mucus secretions result in difficulty breathing and eventually tissue and organ damage.

Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis

The common symptoms that a child with cystic fibrosis experiences includes:

• pancreatic deficiencies
• recurrent pneumonia
• chronic lung disease
• stomach pain and distended abdomen
• difficulty gaining weight

Detection of Cystic Fibrosis

A child may develop cystic fibrosis when both parents have a defective gene. 1 in 29 caucasian americans have this trait, and the defective gene is detectable in 60-90 percent of the carriers. The gene can be easily detected in parents with the help of some tests. Tests that can be used to detect cystic fibrosis include:

• Amniocentesis: During pregnancy, the condition can be tested by way of amniocentesis.
• Blood tests: Testing the mother’s blood samples can show markers indicating cystic fibrosis.
• Ultrasound: An ultrasound scan can reveal any visible signs of cystic fibrosis in the infant.
• Genetic testing of parents: If both parents possess the defective gene, then there is a 25 percent chance that the child will have cystic fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis Birth Injury Lawsuits

When a child is born with cystic fibrosis, a number of birth injury lawsuits may arise. If the mother received a donor sperm or egg with the defective gene, the physician and company that failed to test the donor for cystic fibrosis may be held liable. If parents planning to have a child receive genetic counseling and the tests are performed improperly or misdiagnosed, the couple may not be aware of the risk of giving birth to a child with cystic fibrosis.