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 could be the result of events that occur during the fetal development and can affect the mental or physical health of your child.

A medical professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy by using prenatal tests or newborn screening. Other birth defects may only be identified after your child's birth or when symptoms begin to appear.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

The causes of numerous birth defects remains unclear. There are a few factors which can increase the chances of the mother having a child with birth defect. One of them is taking drugs or certain medications prior to becoming pregnant or having an ancestral history of birth defects, or having certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women who have an established history of these diseases should talk to an expert in genetic counseling about their options before getting pregnant.

Whether a child's birth defect causes serious issues or not depends on which body part is affected and how much of the body part is affected. Usually, the more severe the defect, the more severe the problem will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the development of the fetus. The chance of developing birth defects 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 birth defects are those that change the way a part of your body appears or works. They can be obvious, like cleft lips and cleft palettes, or invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Genetic disorders that are inherited are a type of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors such as the lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which cause spinal cord and brain not developing properly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are several medical procedures that pregnant women can undergo to determine a potential birth defect. One example is amniocentesis, which involves a healthcare provider taking a small amount of fetal fluid to test. This procedure could reveal chromosomal anomalies, as well other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also test a fetus' blood amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are essential to finding out the cause of birth defects. They can also determine the severity of a birth defect and its effects on a child's future.

Certain birth defects might not be identified until after the little Elm birth defect law firm of a baby or, in a few instances even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable until they are present and may only be detected using diagnostic equipment. In these cases the medical expert witness must be familiar with the techniques and the training necessary to be able identify these flaws. An experienced medical malpractice attorney will be able to identify the most suitable expert for your particular case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

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

Medical science is able to explain approximately 30% of birth defect cases, but many others remain unknown. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances, such as those in prescription or over the counter medication taken by mothers, toxic chemicals in the homes and communities, or contaminated groundwater and air can cause birth defects.

Doctors must evaluate the medication used by a pregnant mother and inform her of any possible dangers for the embryo. If they fail in their duty, they can be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and efficacy of any equipment or procedure they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could cause serious harm for a baby's health should a doctor use the equipment in error or fails to calibrate it correctly. This is a case of malpractice. If this happens you should seek out a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. In some states, you have only a single year to file a medical malpractice case, so the sooner you start the process, the more favorable.

Begin by completing the first Step

Birth defects are the main cause of infant mortality. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These issues can be life-threatening, and can result in long-term physical, mental and emotional challenges. In some instances, researchers have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, toxins accumulated in the environment, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery or medical history of the family (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease or PKU). In around 70% of cases, the reason is not known.

Certain birth defects are easily detectable and can be identified at johnson city birth defect lawsuit or in the first year. Other conditions, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities aren't as easily identifiable and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are trying to determine what causes birth defects and how they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or take illegal drugs while pregnant are at greater risk of having a child with certain defects. Women with a family history of inherited genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They could also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.