What Causes a Birth Defect?

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

Screening for newborns and prenatal tests can be utilized by a doctor to identify certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other birth defects might not be diagnosed until after your child is born or when they start to develop symptoms.

What is the cause of your child's deformity?

The reason for many birth defects remains unknown. However, there are a few things that increase the chance of having a child born with defects. These include using drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a relative with a birth defect or having certain medical conditions like rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestry of these disorders should consult a genetic counselor about their options prior getting pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a child depends on the body part that is affected and the degree to which it is affected. The more severe the birth defect the more serious the issues.

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal growth. The risk of having a birth defect law firms defect can be reduced by learning about your family's history with health issues and genes by speaking to a genetic counselor and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way an area of your body looks or functions. They can range from the visible like cleft lip and cleft palate, up to the invisibly, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Genetic disorders that are inherited could be a form of birth defects with structural causes. Environmental factors, for instance, the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord and brain not being correct.

Get More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures pregnant women undergo to discover more about potential birth defects. Amniocentesis is a prime example, where a doctor collects an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus to conduct examination. This procedure may reveal chromosomal irregularities as well as other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the amniotic fluid, blood and fetus's tissues for indications of a birth defect Attorney defect. These tests are essential to finding out the reason for birth defect. They can also determine the severity of birth defect and its impact on a child's future.

However certain birth defects may remain unnoticed until a child is born, or in rare cases, as an adult. This is due to the fact that these issues are not readily apparent until they are present and often can only be recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness in question is well-versed in these technologies and has the appropriate experience to identify such defects. A lawyer who has expertise should be able to pinpoint the best expert for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Attorney

A child born with a serious defect or a serious birth injury can drastically alter the life of a family. These injuries can cause life-long physical and emotional problems which often require a lifetime of medical care.

Medical science can explain about 30 percent of birth defect cases but the rest remain unsolved. Research has proven that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, including those that are found in prescription and over-the-counter medication that mothers take and the harmful chemicals that the heart of some communities and homes, or in contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors are required to examine a pregnant mother's current medications, and advise her of any possible dangers to the baby. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment, or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could cause grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered malpractice. It is essential to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer as soon as you can when this happens. In some states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical negligence case, so the sooner you start the process the better.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects affect 1 of 33 babies born each year, and are a major reason for infant mortality. These issues can be life-threatening and can lead to lasting physical, cognitive and emotional issues. In some instances, researchers have connected the causes to mother's exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, toxins found in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery, or medical history in the family (like genetic illnesses such as sickle cell disease, PKU). However, in the majority of all birth defects, the causes are unknown.

Some birth defects are easily noticeable and can be detected at birth or in the first year of life. Others, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities are not as obvious and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are trying determine the cause of birth defects and how they can be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or use illegal drugs while pregnant are more likely to having a child with certain defects. Women with a family history of inheritance genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect information on medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.