What Causes a Birth Defect?

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

Testing for prenatal and newborns can be used by a healthcare professional to identify certain birth defects during pregnancy. However other birth defects can not be detected until after your child is born or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

Many birth defects are still undiscovered. However, there are a few things that can increase a woman's risk of having a baby with a defect. One of them is taking drugs or certain medications prior to becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects, or having medical conditions like rheumatic disease. Women who have an ancestral history of these disorders are advised to speak with a genetic counselor prior to getting pregnant.

Whether a child's birth defect can cause serious health issues or not is contingent upon the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part affected. The more severe the birth defect, the greater the severity of the issues.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during fetal development. The risk of having a birth defect can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history of genes and health issues, talking to an expert on genetics and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth defects alter how a part of the body appears or works. They can range from the visible like cleft lip and cleft palate, up to the invisible, like metabolic disorders or chromosome disorder. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations can result in structural seaside birth defect law Firm defects. Environmental factors, such as a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord and brain not functioning properly.

Find More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are a variety of medical procedures a pregnant mother is able to undergo in order to find out more about a possible birth defect. Amniocentesis can be one of them, where a healthcare provider takes tiny amounts of fluid from the fetus for 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 examine the amniotic fluid, blood and the tissues of a fetus for indications of a birth defect. These tests are essential to finding out the cause of birth defects. They can also determine the degree of a birth defect and its effect on a child's life.

However some birth defects can be missed until a baby is born or, in rare instances, even as an adult. This is due to the fact that these issues are not readily apparent until they are present, and may only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be familiar with the latest technologies and possess the education required to be able to spot these issues. A lawyer who has experience should be able to identify the right specialist for your case.

Find a Medical Malpractice Attorney

A child born with a severe defect or severe birth injury can completely change the life of families. These injuries can cause life-long physical and psychological challenges, often requiring ongoing medical treatment.

Medical science can pinpoint the causes of about 30 percent of altamonte springs birth defect lawyer defects others remain a mystery. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications that mothers take and toxic chemicals found in homes and communities or groundwater that is contaminated air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to assess an expectant mother's current medications and los ranchos de albuquerque birth defect lawyer inform her of any dangers for the embryo. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they can be held liable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors also have a responsibility to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes xray machines, [empty] surgical instruments, and other equipment. This could cause serious harm for a baby's health in the event that a physician uses the equipment in a negligent manner or does not calibrate it properly. This would be considered to be malpractice. It is essential to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer immediately if this happens. In some states, you're given only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice which is why it's important to begin the process as soon as you can.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These conditions can be life-threatening and can result in lasting physical, cognitive and emotional difficulties. In some cases, scientists have identified the causes as a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the counter medicines, toxins that are found in the environment and maternal infections, the complications of pregnancy and birth, or medical history of the family (like genetic illnesses such as sickle cell disease or PKU). But in about 70% of all birth defect cases, the causes are unknown.

Certain birth defects, such as hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to see and can be identified at birth or in the first year of a child's existence. Some birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and development disabilities, require special tests to identify.

Researchers are trying to discover the root of birth defects, and how they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or consume illegal substances while pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child born with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to be pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that run in their families and then share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.