What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a new parent would like to be told is that their child might have a birth defect. These defects can be caused by the fetal growth and can affect the mental or physical health of your child.

A doctor is able to detect some birth defects during pregnancy with prenatal testing or newborn screening. However other birth defects can not be identified until after the baby is born or birth Defect law firms a few years later when they show symptoms.

What caused your child's deficiency?

Many birth defects remain unknown. However there are some factors that increase the risk of having a baby born with a 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 illness. Women with an established history of these diseases should consult a genetic counselor about their options prior getting pregnant.

The extent to which a birth defect in a child causes serious issues or not is dependent on the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part affected. Typically, the more severe the defect is and the more serious the problem will be.

Most birth defects are caused through genetics or environmental factors during fetal development. You can lower the risk of a birth deformity by speaking with a genetic counselor as well as learning about the health history of your family, and having a conversation with geneticists.

Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way the body appears or performs. They may be visible, like cleft lips, cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations could be a form of birth defect lawsuit defects that cause structural changes. Environmental causes, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal or brain not being correct.

Gather More Evidence than You Think

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo in order to find out more about the possibility of birth defects. One example is amniocentesis, which involves a medical professional taking a small sample of the fetal fluid to be tested. This procedure can reveal chromosomal abnormalities as well as other health conditions, such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also examine the blood of a fetus, amniotic fluid and even the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are crucial in diagnosing the root of birth defect. They also aid in determining how severe the birth defect is and the effect it may affect a child later in his or her adult life.

However, some birth defects can be missed until a baby is born, or in rare cases, an adult. This is because these conditions aren't easily detected until they are present and may only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. For these types of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness is familiar with these technologies and has the correct knowledge to identify such defects. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney can help you identify the most appropriate expert for your particular case.

Find a Medical Malpractice Attorney

A child born with a serious defect or a serious birth injury can completely change the life of the family. These injuries can create life-long physical and emotional challenges that often require an entire lifetime of medical attention.

While medical science is able to pinpoint the causes of about 30 percent of birth defects, many others remain a mystery. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances like those in prescription or over-the-counter medication taken by mothers, toxic chemicals in communities and homes or in groundwater that has been contaminated with air can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to assess an expectant mother's current medications, and advise her about any risks to the foetus. If they fail to meet this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray equipment, surgical tools, and any other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could lead to grave 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 certain states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical malpractice case, so the sooner you begin the process the better.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects are the main reason for infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These conditions are life-threatening, and can lead to long-term physical, mental and emotional difficulties. Scientists have in some cases identified the birth defects' causes in mothers' exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, pregnancy and delivery and medical history of the family, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). But in about 70% of birth defects cases the causes are not clear.

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

Researchers are trying to determine what causes birth defects and Birth Defect law firms how they can be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs while pregnant are more likely to having a child born with certain defects. Women with a family history involving inherited genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information about medical conditions that run in their families and discuss it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.