What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's not something that any expecting parent would like to hear: Their child may be born with a defect. These birth defects are caused the things that happen during fetal development and can affect your child's physical or mental health.

A health care provider can diagnose some graham birth defect law Firm defects during pregnancy with the prenatal test or newborn screening. Other birth defects could be discovered only after the birth of your child or if symptoms appear.

What was the cause of your child's error?

Many birth defects remain undiscovered. There are a few factors that could increase the likelihood of being pregnant with a child with birth defect. One of them is taking drugs or certain medications prior to conception, having an ancestral history of birth defects, or having medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women who have an ancestral background of these disorders are advised to consult a genetic counselor prior to becoming pregnant.

The degree to which a birth defect causes serious problems or not will depend on the body part that is affected and how much of the body part affected. Typically, the more severe the defect is and the more serious the issues will be.

Most birth defects are caused through genetics or environmental factors during fetal growth. The chance of developing a birth defect law firm defect is reduced by knowing about your family's history with health issues and genes or sycw1388.co.kr talking to a genetic counselor, and following the guidelines for prenatal care.

Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way the body appears or performs. They can be obvious, like cleft lips, Cleft palettes, or they can be invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Inherited genetic conditions are one type of structural birth defect, while environmental factors like the lack of folic acid can cause neural tube defects, which result in the brain or spinal cord not developing properly.

Find More Evidence than You Think

There are several medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to find out more about a potential birth defect. Amniocentesis is one example, which is when a healthcare professional collects tiny amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct examination. This test can reveal chromosomal modifications as well as other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic abnormalities.

A doctor can examine the amniotic liquid, blood and the tissues of a fetus to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are essential in determining the cause of birth defect. They also aid in determining how serious the birth defect is and the effect it may be having on a child's his or her adult life.

However certain birth defects may remain unnoticed until a child is born or, in rare cases, as an adult. This is because the conditions aren't easily detected until they are present and may only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be conversant with the technologies and have the training necessary to be able identify these issues. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able to identify the appropriate expert for your case.

Find a Medical Malpractice Attorney

A child born with a serious defect or birth injury could completely alter the life of the family. These injuries can cause lifelong physical and mental challenges and require medical treatment for the rest of their lives.

Medical science may explain around 30% of birth defect cases, but many others remain unsolved. Research has proven that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, for example those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medication that mothers take as well as the toxic chemicals that play in certain communities and homes, or in contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the medication used by the expecting mother and inform her of any potential dangers for the fetus. When they fail in this duty, they may be held liable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to assess the safety of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines surgical tools, as well as other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses the equipment, or fails to correctly calibrate the equipment, it could lead to serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered to be malpractice. If this occurs, it's important to speak with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you can. In some states you have only one year to file a case for medical malpractice which is why it's important to start the process as soon as you can.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the primary cause of infant death. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These issues are life-threatening, and can trigger lasting physical, cognitive and emotional problems. In some cases, scientists have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medicines, toxins that are found in the environment or in the maternal environment, as well as complications during pregnancy and delivery or family medical history (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease or PKU). However, in approximately 70% of all birth defects the causes are not clear.

Certain birth defects are readily visible and can be detected at birth or Birth Defect Lawsuit in the first year of life. Certain birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and development disabilities, require specific tests to determine the cause.

Researchers are trying to figure out the root of birth defects, and how they can be avoided. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs when pregnant are more likely to having a child with certain defects. Women with a family history involving genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data about medical conditions that can be found in their families and then share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.