What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent wants to be told is that their child may have a birth deformity. These defects can be caused by circumstances that occur during pregnancy and can impact the physical or mental health of your child.

Testing for prenatal and newborns can be utilized by a healthcare professional to identify certain birth defects during pregnancy. Other birth defects may only be detected after the Birth Defect law firms of your child, or after symptoms begin to appear.

What caused your child's deformity?

The root of many birth defects is not known. There are certain factors that increase the chance of a woman having a child with birth defect. This includes using medications or taking certain medications prior to the birth, having a family member that has an abnormal birth defect attorney or certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women who have an established history of these diseases should talk to a genetic counselor about their options prior to getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child depends on the body part affected and how much is affected. The more serious a birth defect is, the more serious the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during fetal development. The chance of developing birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history of health and genetic issues by speaking to a genetic counselor, and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how an area of your body looks or performs. They can be obvious, such as cleft lips and cleft palettes, or invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic disorders. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a type of structural birth defect while environmental factors like the absence of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which can result in the spinal cord and brain not developing correctly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that a pregnant woman may undergo to learn more about the possibility of a birth defect. One of them is amniocentesis which involves a medical professional taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. This test may reveal chromosomal mutations as well as other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test a fetus' blood or amniotic fluid as well as the umbilical cord for signs of birth defect lawsuits defects. These tests are crucial in finding out the cause of birth defects. They can also assist in determining the severity of a birth defect could be and the effect it may be having on a child's their adulthood.

However, some birth defects can remain unnoticed until a child is born or, in rare instances, when an adult. These conditions aren't easily detected until they have been identified, and are often recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the right experience to spot these issues. An experienced medical malpractice attorney is able to determine the most suitable expert for your particular case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Attorney

A child born with a serious defect or a severe birth injury can drastically alter the life of a family. These injuries can cause long-term physical and mental issues needing medical attention for the rest of his life.

Medical science could explain up to 30 percent of birth defect cases but the rest remain a mystery. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances, like those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications taken by a mother or children, harmful chemicals in homes and communities or groundwater that is contaminated air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to evaluate the dosage of medication taken by an expectant mother and inform her of any possible dangers for the baby. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to assess the safety and efficacy of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a baby's health when a doctor uses the equipment in a negligent manner or fails to calibrate it correctly. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is crucial to contact a medical negligence lawyer as soon as you can if this happens. In certain states, you only have one year to file a medical malpractice case, so the earlier you begin the process, the better.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These issues are life-threatening, and can result in permanent physical, birth defect Law firms cognitive and emotional difficulties. Scientists have in some cases identified the birth defects' causes in mothers' exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs or environmental toxins, as well as complications of motherhood, infections, delivery and pregnancy and birth defect Law firms family medical history or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, or other genetic diseases). But in about 70% of all birth defect cases, the causes are unknown.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot are easy to see and can be diagnosed either at birth or during the first year of a child's existence. Others, such as heart problems or intellectual and developmental disabilities are not as easily identified and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how some of them may be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or take illegal drugs when pregnant are at greater risk of having a child born with certain defects. Women with a family history of inheritance genetic disorders should consider seeing a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data regarding medical conditions that are prevalent through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.