What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent would like to learn is that their child may have a birth defect. These issues may be caused by a variety of circumstances that occur during fetal growth and can affect the mental or physical health of your child.

A health care provider can identify birth defects during pregnancy with prenatal testing or newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be discovered until after your child's birth or when they start to develop symptoms.

What caused your child's deformity?

Many birth defects remain unknown. There are several factors which can increase the chances of pregnant women having children with Birth Defect Attorney defect. These include using drugs or taking certain medications before the birth, having a family member who has birth defects or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestral history of these conditions are advised to speak with an expert in genetic counseling prior to becoming pregnant.

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

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

Structural birth imperfections are those that alter how a particular part of the body appears or performs. They vary from the obvious such as cleft lips and cleft palate, but also the invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic disorders that are inherited are a kind of structural birth defect, while environmental factors such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the spinal cord and brain not developing properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are a number of medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to find out more about possible birth defects. One of these is amniocentesis that involves a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid for testing. This procedure may reveal chromosomal irregularities and other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the blood, amniotic liquid and fetus's tissues for indications of a birth defect. These tests are essential in determining the root of birth defects. They can also determine the extent of the birth defect and the impact it has on a child's future.

Certain birth defects might not be discovered at the time of birth or, in rare cases even after becoming an adult. These issues aren't easily detected when they first appear and can be detected through equipment for diagnosing. In these kinds of situations, it is essential that the medical expert witness is familiar with these technologies and has the right training to be able to detect these flaws. An experienced medical malpractice attorney will be able to identify the right expert for your particular case.

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If a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a serious birth injury, it could completely turn the world of a family upside down. These injuries can lead to long-term physical and mental issues needing medical attention for the rest of their lives.

Medical science may explain around 30% of birth defect lawyers defect cases however, many other cases remain unsolved. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances, like those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications that mothers take, toxic chemicals in communities and homes or groundwater that is contaminated air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the medication taken by a pregnant mother and inform her of any possible dangers to the baby. When they fail in this duty, they can be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors also have a duty to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, birth defect attorney it could have serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered to be malpractice. In the event of this it is important to speak with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you can. In some states, you're given only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice and it's recommended to start the process as soon as possible.

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Birth defects affect one out of 33 babies born each year, and are a leading cause of infant mortality. The condition can be life-threatening and result in a variety of long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical difficulties. Scientists have, in some instances, identified the causes of birth defects in mothers' exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs or environmental toxins, as well as maternal infections, complications during delivery and pregnancy and medical history of the family, or birth defect attorney genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic diseases). In around 70% of cases, the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects are readily detectable and can be identified at birth or in the first year of life. Some birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, require special tests to determine the cause.

Researchers are attempting to determine what can cause birth defects and how them can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or take illegal drugs when pregnant are more likely to having a child born with certain defects. Women with a family history of inherited genetic disorders should consider seeing a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and then share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.