What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a new parent wants to hear is that their child might have a birth defect. These problems are caused by things that happen during growing up and could affect the mental or physical health of your child.

A health professional can detect birth defects during pregnancy with newborn screening or prenatal tests. Other birth defects can only be identified after the birth of your child or when symptoms are evident.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

Many birth defects remain unknown. However there are some things that increase a woman's risk of having a child born with a defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a family member that has birth defects or certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestral history of these conditions are advised to consult a genetic counselor prior to becoming 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 serious a birth defect is, the more severe the problems.

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal growth. You can reduce your risk of a birth deformity by speaking with a genetic counselor and learning about the health background of your family, and having a conversation with an expert in genetics.

Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way an area of your body appears or functions. They can be visible, like cleft lips and cleft palettes, or invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic conditions. Inherited genetic conditions may be a sign of birth defects that are structural. Environmental factors, for instance, the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that cause brain or spinal cord development not working as intended.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a number of medical procedures that pregnant women undergo to determine potential birth defects. Amniocentesis is one of them, which involves a healthcare provider taking a small amount of the fetal fluid to be tested. This test may reveal chromosomal mutations as well as other health conditions like infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic fluid, blood and tissues of a fetus for signs of birth defect. These tests are crucial in finding out the causes of birth defects. They also aid in determining how serious the birth defect could be and the consequences it could affect a child later in the years to come.

Some birth defects may not be identified at the time of birth or, in rare cases even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable until they are present, and Vimeo often can only be detected using diagnostic equipment. For these kinds of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness is familiar with these techniques and has the appropriate knowledge to detect these flaws. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you identify the most suitable expert for your particular case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Attorney

A child born with a severe defect or severe birth injury can completely change the life of a family. These injuries can lead to long-term physical and mental issues that require medical attention for the rest of their lives.

Medical science can pinpoint the causes of about 30% of birth defects, many others remain unsolved. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, for example those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medication that mothers take as well as the toxic chemicals that play in certain communities and homes, or contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required to assess the medication used by the expecting mother and inform her of any possible risks to the embryo. If they fail in their duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. It could be a serious risk for a newborn baby if a doctor uses the equipment in a negligent manner or does not calibrate it properly. This would be considered medical malpractice. It's important to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer immediately in the event of this happening. In some states, you're given only one year to file a claim for medical malpractice therefore it's best to start the process as soon as possible.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects affect one of 33 babies born every year, and are a leading cause of infant mortality. These conditions are life-threatening, and can trigger long-term physical, cognitive and emotional difficulties. Researchers have in a few instances linked the causes of lafayette birth defect lawyer defects to the mother's exposures to prescription and over-the-counter drugs and environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during the birth and pregnancy and medical history of the family, or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, or other genetic diseases). In about 70% of cases, the reason is unknown.

Certain birth defects, such as hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to spot and can be detected at birth or within the first year of a child's existence. Others, like heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities aren't as easily identified and require specialized tests.

Researchers are trying to discover what can cause birth defects and how some of them may be prevented. For Vimeo instance women who smoke or drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their likelihood of having a child with certain birth defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to conceive. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data about medical conditions that can be traced through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.