What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a expecting parent wants to learn is that their child may have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by things that happen during the development of the fetus and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be used by a doctor to identify certain birth defects during pregnancy. However other birth defects could not be diagnosed until after the baby is born or later when they develop symptoms.

What was the cause of your child's error?

The root of numerous birth defects remains unclear. However there are a few things that increase the chance of having a baby born with a defect. These include using drugs or taking certain medications before pregnancy, a history of having a family member with an abnormal birth or certain medical conditions like rheumatic heart disease. Women with an history of these conditions are advised to consult an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior to getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child depends on the affected body part and how severe the damage. The more severe the birth defect the greater the severity of the issues.

Most birth defects are caused either by genes or environment during fetal growth. You can reduce the chance of developing a birth defect by consulting with a genetic counsellor, learning about the health background of your family, and talking with the geneticist.

Structural defects are birth defect lawyer issues that affect how the body appears or functions. They may be visible, like cleft lips or cleft palettes, or invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic conditions. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a kind of structural birth defect while environmental factors like the absence of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which result in the spinal cord and brain not developing correctly.

Gather More Evidence than You Think

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo to find out more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis, for instance, is where a doctor collects a small sample of fluid from the fetus for examination. This procedure can reveal chromosomal modifications and birth defect other health conditions like infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the amniotic liquid, blood and tissues of a fetus for signs of a birth defect. These tests are essential in determining the cause of birth defects. They can also assist in determining how serious the birth defect could be and the effects it could affect a child later in the years to come.

Some birth defects may not be detected at the time of birth or, in a few instances, even as an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent prior to their onset and are usually only detected with diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness involved is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the proper knowledge to recognize these defects. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer is able to determine the most suitable expert for your case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a devastating birth injury, it could completely turn a family's lives upside down. These injuries can lead to permanent physical and mental problems needing medical attention for the rest of their lives.

Although medical science has been able to identify the causes of about 30 percent of birth defect lawyer defects, others remain unexplained. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, including those present in prescription or over the counter medicines that mothers are prescribed as well as the toxic chemicals that play in certain communities and homes, as well as contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the medications taken by the mother-to-be and inform her of any potential dangers for the fetus. If they fail to perform this obligation, they can be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors also have a responsibility to evaluate the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using this equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could lead to serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is important to contact a medical negligence lawyer as soon as you can when this happens. In certain states, you only have a single year to file a medical negligence claim, so the earlier you start the process, the more favorable.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects affect 1 out of 33 newborns each year, and are a leading cause of infant mortality. These issues are life-threatening, and can lead to long-term physical, cognitive and emotional issues. In some instances, researchers have connected the causes to mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, toxins accumulated in the environment, maternal infections, complications associated with pregnancy and birth or medical history of the family (like genetic illnesses such as sickle cell disease or PKU). In about 70% of cases, the reason is unknown.

Some birth defects are easily detectable and can be identified at birth or within the first year. Others, such as heart problems or developmental and intellectual disabilities, are not as easy to identify and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are trying to figure out what causes birth defects and how they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or use illegal drugs while pregnant increase their risk for having a child with certain defects. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to get pregnant. They may also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information regarding medical conditions that are prevalent through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.