What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent wants to be told is that their child might have a birth defect lawsuit defect. These defects could be the result of circumstances that occur during pregnancy and can impact the physical or mental health of your child.

Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be used by a health care provider to identify certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other birth defects could not be discovered until after your child is born or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

Many birth defects remain undiscovered. There are some things which can increase the chances of being pregnant with a child with birth defect. One of them is taking certain medications or prescription drugs prior to conception or having an ancestral history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women with an ancestral history of these conditions are advised to speak with an expert on genetics prior to becoming pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a baby is dependent on the body part affected and how severe the damage. Usually, the more severe the defect is and the more serious the problems will be.

Most birth defects are caused either by genes or environment during fetal growth. The chance of developing 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 guidelines for prenatal care.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how an area of your body appears or performs. They can be visible, like cleft lips or Cleft palettes, or they can be invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic disorders. Inherited genetic conditions are one kind of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors, such as a lack of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the spinal cord or brain not developing correctly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a number of medical procedures a pregnant woman can undergo to determine potential birth defect lawyer defects. One of these is amniocentesis which involves a medical professional taking a small amount of fetal fluid for testing. This procedure can reveal chromosomal defects as well as other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also examine the blood of a fetus, amniotic fluid and even the tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are crucial in determining the root of birth defects. They can also help determine how severe the birth defect is and the effect it may be having on a child's the years to come.

Certain birth defects may not be detected at the time of birth or, in rare cases even as an adult. This is because these problems are not easily identified until they become apparent, and are often detected using diagnostic equipment. For these kinds of situations, it is essential that the medical expert witness involved is familiar with these technologies and has the right training to be able to identify such defects. A lawyer who has experience should be able to identify the right specialist for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a serious birth injury, it could completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can lead to long-term physical and mental issues and require medical treatment for a lifetime.

Medical science could explain up to 30 percent of birth defect cases however, many other cases are still unknown. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, like those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medications a mother takes, the toxic chemicals at play in certain communities and homes, or in contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the dosage of medication taken by a pregnant mother and inform her of any potential dangers for the fetus. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, and any other equipment. This could result in serious consequences for a baby's health when a doctor uses the equipment in error or does not calibrate it properly. This is considered medical malpractice. If this occurs it is important to speak with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. In some states you have only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice and it's recommended to begin the process as soon as possible.

Take the First Step

Birth defects affect one of 33 babies born each year, defect and are a leading cause of infant mortality. These issues can be life-threatening, and they can cause long-term physical, cognitive and emotional difficulties. In a few instances, scientists have identified the cause to be a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the counter medicines, toxins that are found in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery or medical history of the family (like genetic illnesses like sickle cell diseases or PKU). In the majority of cases, the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects, like hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to detect and can be detected from birth or within the first year of a child's existence. Some birth defects, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, require special tests to identify.

Researchers are trying to discover the causes of birth defects and how they can be avoided. For instance, women who smoke or defect drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chances of having a child with a defect. Women with a family history that involves inherited genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to have a baby. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data about medical conditions that run in their families and provide it to their doctor or a genetic counselor.