What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's not something that any expectant parent wants to hear: their child could be born with a birth defect. These defects can be caused by things that happen during the fetal development and can affect the mental or physical health of your child.

Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be utilized by a healthcare professional to detect certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However, other birth defects may not be identified until after the baby is born or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What is the cause of your child's deformity?

The causes of many birth defects is not known. There are several factors that increase the chance of pregnant women having children with a birth defect. One of them is taking drugs or certain medications before getting pregnant, having an ancestral history of birth defects, or having medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women with an ancestry of these disorders are advised to consult an expert on genetic counseling about their options before getting pregnant.

Whether a child's birth defect causes serious issues or not is dependent on which body part is affected and how much of the body part is affected. Usually, the more severe the defect and the more serious the problem will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal growth. You can lower the risk of having a Birth defect Law firms defect by consulting a genetic counselor, learning about the health background of your family and having a conversation with the geneticist.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how a part of your body looks or functions. They may range from the visible such as cleft lips and cleft palate to the invisible, like metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Genetically-inherited conditions may be a sign of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, for instance, Birth Defect Law Firms the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that result in brain or spinal cord development not functioning properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are a variety of medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo in order to find out more about the possibility of a birth defect. One of them is amniocentesis that involves a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid for testing. This procedure may reveal chromosomal irregularities, as well other health conditions, such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also examine the blood of a fetus as well as amniotic fluid and the tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are crucial in finding out the causes of birth defects. They also aid in determining the severity of the birth defect is and the consequences it could be having on a child's their adult life.

Certain birth defects may not be recognized at the time of birth or, in rare instances, even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable when they first appear and are often only discovered through diagnostic equipment. In these cases the medical expert witness must be conversant with the techniques and the training necessary to be able to spot these flaws. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney is able to determine the most suitable expert for your particular case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a devastating birth defect law firms injury, it could completely turn a family's world upside down. These injuries can cause long-lasting physical and emotional problems which often require an entire lifetime of medical attention.

Although medical science has been able to identify the causes of 30% of birth defects, others remain unsolved. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances like those in prescription or over the counter medicines taken by mothers, toxic chemicals in the homes and communities or in groundwater that has been contaminated with air can cause birth defects.

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

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, and other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using the equipment or fails to correctly calibrate the equipment, it could result in grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered to be malpractice. It is crucial to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer immediately when this happens. In some states, you only have a single year to file a medical negligence case, so the earlier you begin the process, the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect one out of 33 newborns each year and are a major reason for infant mortality. The conditions are life-threatening and cause a myriad of mental, emotional and physical difficulties. Researchers have in a few instances linked the causes of birth defects to exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs, environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, pregnancy and delivery and medical history of the family, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). In the majority of cases, the reason is unknown.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to detect and can be detected from birth or within the first year of a child's life. Other conditions, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, are not as easy to identify and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are trying determine what causes birth defects and how they can be avoided. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs when pregnant increase their risk for having a child with certain defects. Women with a family history involving genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to conceive. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information about medical conditions that can be found in their families and provide it to their doctor or a genetic counselor.