What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing that any expecting parent would like to be told is that their child may be born with a deformity. These problems are caused by things that happen during the fetal development and can affect the physical or mental health of your child.

Testing for prenatal and newborns can be utilized by a doctor to diagnose certain birth defects during pregnancy. However other birth defects can not be diagnosed until after your child is born or when they start to develop symptoms.

What is the reason for your child's defect?

Many birth defects are still undiscovered. There are some things that increase the chance of the mother having a child with a birth defect. Some of these include using certain medications or taking certain drugs before becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects or having medical conditions like rheumatic disease. Women who have an ancestral history of these disorders are advised to speak with a genetic counselor prior to getting pregnant.

The degree to which a birth defect can cause serious health issues or not depends on the body part that is affected and how much of the body part is affected. The more severe the birth defect the greater the severity of the issues.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the development of the fetus. You can lower the risk of having a birth defect by talking to a genetic counsellor and learning about the health history of your family, and talking with an expert in genetics.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how the body appears or functions. They can be visible, like cleft lips and cleft palettes, or invisible, as with chromosome conditions or birth defect attorney metabolic disorders. Inherited genetic conditions are one type of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors such as the lack of folic acid can cause neural tube defects, which can result in the spinal cord or the brain not developing correctly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother may undergo to learn more about a possible birth defect. One example is amniocentesis, that involves a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure can reveal chromosomal abnormalities as well as other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also examine the fetus's blood amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are essential to diagnosing the root of a birth defect. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its effects on a child's life.

However certain birth defects may go undetected until a baby is born or, in rare cases, an adult. This is because these conditions aren't easily detected until they become apparent, and are often recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. For these kinds of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness in question is well-versed in these technologies and has the proper experience to identify such defects. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney will be able to identify the most suitable expert for your particular case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a serious birth defect attorneys defect or suffers a serious birth injury, it could completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can cause life-long physical and emotional challenges and often require an entire lifetime of medical attention.

Medical science may explain around 30% of birth defect cases but the rest remain unknown. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medicines taken by mothers and toxic chemicals found in homes and communities, or contaminated groundwater and air may cause birth defects.

Doctors have a duty to examine a pregnant mother's current medication and inform her about any dangers for the baby. When they fail in this duty, they can be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors also have the responsibility to determine the safety of any procedure or device they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical tools, as well as other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment or fails correctly calibrate the equipment, it could have grave consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. If this happens it's crucial to consult a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can. In some states, you only have one year to file a medical negligence claim, so the earlier you begin the process, the better.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects affect one in 33 babies born every year, and are the most common cause of infant mortality. These conditions can be life-threatening and can trigger long-term physical, mental and emotional difficulties. Scientists have in some cases linked the birth defects' causes to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, delivery and pregnancy, family medical history, or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic illnesses). But in about 70% of all birth defects, the causes are unknown.

Certain birth defects are easily visible and can be detected at birth or in the first year of life. Certain birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and development disabilities, require special tests to be identified.

Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how they can be avoided. For example smoking and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their risk of having a baby with certain birth Defect attorney defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to be pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.