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 problems are caused by things that occur in the fetal period and can affect your child's physical or mental health.

A doctor is able to detect some centerville birth defect lawyer defects during pregnancy using prenatal tests or newborn screening. However other birth defects can not be identified until after your child's birth or later when they develop symptoms.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

The causes of numerous birth defects remains unclear. There are some things that can increase the risk of pregnant women having children with birth defect. These include using drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a family member with an abnormal birth or certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestry of these disorders should talk to a genetic counselor about their options prior getting 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 is affected. Typically, the more severe the defect is, the more severe the problems will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the fetal growth. The risk of having birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history of genes and health issues and speaking with a genetic counselor, and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth defects are those that change how a specific part of the body looks or works. They may be visible, such as cleft lips and Cleft palettes, or they can be invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations may be a sign of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, such as an absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause brain or spinal cord development not working as intended.

Gather More Evidence than You Think

There are many medical procedures that pregnant mothers may undergo to learn more about a possible birth defect. Amniocentesis can be one of them, where a doctor collects an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for examination. This test may reveal chromosomal irregularities, as well other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also examine the blood of a fetus as well as amniotic fluid and the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are essential in determining the root of birth defects. They can also assist in determining how serious the birth defect could be and the effect it may affect a child later in the years to come.

Certain birth defects may not be detected until after the birth of a child or, in rare cases even after becoming an adult. This is because the conditions aren't easily detected until they have been identified, and often can only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness involved is well-versed in these technologies and has the correct education to detect these flaws. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you identify the appropriate specialist for your case.

Employ an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

A child born with a serious defect or lynchburg birth defect attorney injury can alter the life of families. These injuries can cause lifelong physical and mental challenges, requiring medical care for a lifetime.

Medical science can pinpoint the causes of 30 percent of birth defects, many others remain unexplained. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances, like 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 must evaluate the medications taken by the mother-to-be and inform her of any potential dangers for the foetus. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical tools, and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment, or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could have serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered malpractice. It is crucial to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer immediately if this happens. In some states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical malpractice case, so the earlier you begin the process, the better.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect one out of 33 babies born each year, and are a major reason for infant mortality. The condition can be life-threatening and can lead to many long term physical, emotional and cognitive difficulties. In some instances, scientists have identified the causes as a mother's exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, toxins found in the environment or in the maternal environment, as well as complications during pregnancy and delivery or a medical history in the family (like genetic diseases, sickle cell disease or PKU). But in about 70% of birth defects cases the causes are not clear.

Certain birth defects are readily visible and can be detected when a baby is born or in the first year. Some birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and development disabilities, require tests specific to identify.

Researchers are working to understand what can cause lake mills Birth Defect Lawyer (vimeo.com) defects and how them may be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs while pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child with certain defects. Women who have a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should think about seeing a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information about medical conditions that can be traced through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.