What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a expecting parent would like to learn is that their child may have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by the things that happen during fetal development and can affect your child's physical or mental health.

Testing for prenatal and newborns can be used by a health professional to detect certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other birth defects might not be discovered until after the birth of your child or when they start to develop symptoms.

What was the reason for your child's deformity?

Many birth defects remain undiscovered. There are a few factors that could increase the likelihood of the mother having a child with a birth defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a family member with birth defects or certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women with an history of these conditions are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling about their options prior to getting pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a baby is dependent on the affected body part and how severe the damage. Typically, the more severe the defect it, the more serious the problem will be.

The majority of ludlow birth defect lawyer defects are caused by genes or the environment during the fetal growth. You can lower the risk of a birth defect speaking with a genetic counselor, learning about the health history of your family and speaking with the geneticist.

Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way an element of your body looks or performs. They may be visible, like cleft lips, birth defect Cleft palettes, but also invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations could be a form of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects, which result in the development of the spinal cord and brain not working as intended.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a number of medical procedures pregnant women undergo to learn more about potential birth defects. Amniocentesis is one example, which is when a healthcare professional collects an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for testing. This procedure can reveal chromosomal changes and other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the blood, amniotic liquid and the fetus's tissues to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are crucial in finding out the reason for birth defects. They can also determine the degree of a birth defect and its effects on a child's future.

Certain birth defects may not be detected until after the birth of a child or, in some rare cases even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable when they first appear and are often only discovered by using diagnostic equipment. For these kinds of situations, it is essential that the medical expert witness is familiar with these technologies and has the proper experience to recognize these defects. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney is able to determine the right expert for your case.

Employ an attorney for Medical Malpractice

A child born with a serious defect or severe birth injury can completely change the life of a family. These injuries can lead to long-term physical and mental issues and require medical treatment for a lifetime.

Medical science is able to explain approximately 30 percent of birth defect cases, but many others remain a mystery. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances, like those in prescription or over the counter medications taken by a mother, toxic chemicals in the homes and communities as well as contaminated groundwater and air may cause birth defects.

Doctors have a duty to examine a pregnant mother's current medications and advise her of any dangers for the embryo. When they fail in this obligation, they can be held liable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors also have the responsibility to determine the safety of any procedure or device they recommend for Birth Defect pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could have grave consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. If this occurs it is important to consult a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. In certain states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical negligence case, so the faster you start the process the more favorable.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the primary cause of infant mortality. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These conditions could be life-threatening and cause long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical issues. In a few instances, scientists have identified the cause to be a mother's exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs, toxins in the environment, maternal infections, complications associated with pregnancy and birth or medical history in the family (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease, PKU). In around 70% of cases, the cause is not known.

Certain birth defects, such as clubfoot or hearing loss, are easy to see and are easily diagnosed from birth or within the first year of a child's life. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, aren't as easily identified and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are trying to discover what causes birth defects and how they can be prevented. For instance smoking and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their likelihood of having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information about medical conditions that can be found in their families and share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.