What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing any expecting parents wants to hear: Their child could be born with a birth defect. These issues may be caused by a variety of things that happen during pregnancy and can impact the physical or mental health of your child.

A doctor is able to detect some birth defects during pregnancy using the prenatal test or newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be diagnosed until after the birth of your child or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What was the cause of your child's error?

Many birth defects remain undiscovered. However, there are a few factors that can increase the chance of having a baby with a defect. These include using drugs or taking certain medications before the birth, having a relative with birth defects or certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestral history of these diseases are advised to consult an expert on genetics prior to becoming pregnant.

If a birth defect in a baby causes serious issues or not will depend on the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part affected. The more severe the defect then the more severe the issues will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the development of the fetus. You can lessen the risk of developing a birth defect by speaking with a genetic counselor and learning about the health background of your family and talking with a geneticist.

Structural scarsdale birth defect Law firm imperfections are those that alter the way a part of your body looks or works. They can be obvious, like cleft lips or cleft palettes, or danville Birth defect lawsuit invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations can result in structural birth defects. Environmental factors, for instance, the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord and brain not being correct.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures that pregnant women can undergo to discover more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis is a prime example, which is when a healthcare professional collects small amounts of fluid from the fetus for analysis. This test can reveal chromosomal modifications, as well as other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor can also examine the blood of a fetus amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are crucial in determining the causes of birth defects. They can also help determine how serious the birth defect could be and the effect it may have on a child in the years to come.

However some birth defects can go undetected until a baby is born or, in rare instances, even as an adult. These conditions aren't easily detected until they have been identified, and may only be detected using diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the technology and have the education required to identify these defects. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney should be able to identify the most suitable expert for your particular case.

Find an attorney for Medical Malpractice

If a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a serious birth injury, it can completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can create life-long physical and emotional challenges which often require a lifetime of medical care.

Medical science is able to explain approximately 30 percent of birth defect cases but the rest are still a mystery. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances such as those in prescription or over the counter medications taken by a mother or in toxic chemicals found in the homes and communities, or contaminated groundwater and air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to assess the medication taken by the mother-to-be and inform her of any possible risks for the fetus. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they can be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could cause serious harm for a newborn baby when a doctor uses the equipment improperly or does not calibrate it properly. This would be considered medical malpractice. It's important to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can in the event of this happening. In some states you have only one year to file a case for medical malpractice, so it's best to begin the process as soon as possible.

Take the First Step

russellville birth defect lawyer defects are the main cause of infant mortality. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These conditions can be life-threatening, and can trigger long-term physical, mental and emotional issues. Scientists have in a few cases connected the totowa birth defect law firm defects' causes in mothers' exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications or environmental toxins, Kingman birth defect Lawyer as well as maternal infections, complications during the birth and pregnancy or a family medical history or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic illnesses). However, in a majority of birth defect cases the causes are not clear.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or a clubfoot are easily identifiable and can be identified at birth or in the first year of a child's existence. Other conditions, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities are not as easily identifiable and require special tests.

Researchers are trying to determine the root of birth defects, and how they can be avoided. For example, women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chances of having a child with certain defects. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders that are inherited may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to have a baby. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health Form to collect information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.