What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing an expecting parent would like to hear: Their child could be born with a birth defect. These defects may be caused by a variety of circumstances that occur during pregnancy and can impact the physical or mental health of your child.

A doctor can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy using newborn screening or prenatal tests. However other birth defects can not be identified until after your child's birth or when they start to develop symptoms.

What is the cause of your child's deformity?

Many birth defects remain undiscovered. However, there are a few things that can increase the likelihood of having a child with a defect. Some of these include taking drugs or certain medications prior to becoming pregnant, having a family history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women who have a history of these disorders are advised to consult an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child is contingent on the affected body part and how severe the damage. 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 the development of the fetus. You can lower the risk of a birth deformity by speaking with a genetic counselor or a health professional, gaining knowledge about the history of your family and meeting with an expert in genetics.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how an element of your body appears or functions. They can range from the visible such as cleft lips and cleft palate to the invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a kind of structural birth defect, and environmental factors like an absence of folic acids can cause neural tube defects that result in the spinal cord or brain not developing properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother may undergo to learn more about the possibility of a saratoga birth defect law firm defect. Amniocentesis can be one of them, which is when a healthcare professional collects small amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct analysis. This test can reveal chromosomal defects as well as other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic liquid, blood and the tissues of a fetus for signs of a birth defect. These tests are crucial in determining the causes of birth defects. They also aid in determining the severity of the birth defect could be and the impact it will be having on a child's the years to come.

Some birth defects might not be recognized at the time of birth or, in a few instances, even as an adult. These issues aren't easily detected when they first appear and birth Defect lawsuit are sometimes only detected through diagnostic equipment. In these instances the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the latest technologies and possess the education required to be able identify these issues. A lawyer who has experience should be able to identify the appropriate expert for your case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a serious hood river birth defect law firm injury, it can completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can lead to permanent physical and mental problems needing medical attention for the rest of their lives.

While medical science can identify the underlying causes behind about 30 percent of birth defects others remain a mystery. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances, such as those in prescription or over-the-counter medications taken by a mother or children, harmful chemicals in the homes and communities or groundwater that is contaminated air may cause birth defects.

Doctors must evaluate the dosage of medication taken by an expectant mother and inform her of any possible dangers for the embryo. When they fail in this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors also have a responsibility to assess the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray equipment, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using this equipment or river grove birth defect law firm fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could have serious consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. It is essential to contact a medical negligence lawyer immediately should this happen. In some states you have only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice and it's recommended to start the process as soon as you can.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. The conditions can be life-threatening and cause long-term mental, emotional and physical problems. In a few instances, scientists have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription or 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 medical history of the family (like genetic diseases like sickle cell diseases or PKU). In about 70% of cases, the reason is not known.

Certain birth defects, such as clubfoot or hearing loss, are easy to detect and can be identified at birth or within the first year of a child's life. Certain birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, require specific tests to be identified.

Researchers are trying to figure out what can cause birth defects and how them may be prevented. For instance, women who smoke or drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chance of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to conceive. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that can be found in their families and share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.