What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a new parent would like to learn is that their child may have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by the things that happen during the fetal stage and could affect your child's mental or physical health.

A health professional is able to detect some birth defects during pregnancy with prenatal testing or newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be identified until after the baby is born or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What caused your child's deformity?

The root of numerous birth defects remains unclear. There are several factors which can increase the chances of being pregnant with a child with birth defect. Some of these include taking certain medications or prescription drugs before getting pregnant, having a family history of birth defects, or having medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have an ancestry of these disorders are advised to consult a genetic counselor about their options prior to getting pregnant.

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

The majority of birth defects are caused through genetics or environmental factors during fetal growth. The chance of developing birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history with health issues and genes, talking to an expert on genetics and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth defects alter how a particular part of the body appears or performs. They may be visible, like cleft lips or cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations are one kind of structural birth defect, while environmental factors like an absence of folic acids can cause neural tube defects, which result in the brain or spinal cord not developing properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that pregnant women can undergo to determine possible birth defects. Amniocentesis is one example, which is when a healthcare professional collects small amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct testing. This procedure can reveal chromosomal modifications in addition to other health conditions like infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic abnormalities.

A doctor can examine the amniotic fluid, blood and the tissues of a fetus for signs of birth defect. These tests are crucial in determining the causes of birth defects. They can also determine the extent of the birth defect lawyer defect and the impact it has on the adult life of a child.

Some birth defects may not be detected until after the birth of a baby or, in a few instances even after becoming an adult. This is due to the fact that these problems are not easily identified until they have been identified, and can sometimes only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the technologies and have the education required to be able to spot the defects. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you identify the appropriate specialist for your particular case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers from a severe birth injury, it could completely turn a family's lives upside down. These injuries can lead to lasting physical and mental health challenges, requiring medical care for the rest of their lives.

While medical science is able to pinpoint the causes of about 30% of birth defects, many others remain unexplained. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, for example those that are found in prescription and over-the-counter medication that mothers take and the harmful chemicals that working in some communities and homes, or in contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required to evaluate the mother's current medications and advise her of any possible risks for the fetus. If they fail to perform this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors also have a duty to examine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. It could be a serious risk for a baby's health in the event that a physician uses the equipment negligently or does not calibrate it properly. This is considered medical malpractice. When this happens, it's important to contact a medical negligence attorney as soon as possible. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a case for medical malpractice therefore it's best to begin the process as soon as possible.

Begin by completing the first Step

Birth defects affect one in 33 babies born each year and are a major cause of infant mortality. These conditions could be life-threatening and cause a myriad of mental, emotional and physical difficulties. Scientists have in a few cases connected the birth defects' causes in mothers' exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs as well as environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during delivery and pregnancy and medical history of the family, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic illnesses). However, in a majority of birth defect attorneys defects cases the cause is not known.

Some birth defects are easily evident and can be found when a baby is born or in the first year. Certain birth defects, like heart defects, intellectual and developmental disabilities require tests specific to identify.

Researchers are trying to figure out the root of birth defects, and how they can be prevented. For example smoking, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their risk of having a baby with certain defects. Women with a family history involving genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data about medical conditions that can be found in their families and discuss it with their doctor or genetic counselor.