What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a expecting parent wants to hear is that their child could have a birth deformity. These problems are caused by things that happen during fetal development and can affect your child's physical or mental health.

A doctor is able to detect some birth defects in pregnancy through prenatal testing or newborn screening. However other birth defects can not be identified until after your child's birth or when they start to develop symptoms.

What was the cause of your child's error?

The cause of the majority of birth defects is still unknown. There are certain factors that increase the chance of pregnant women having children with a birth defect. Some of these include taking drugs or certain medications before becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women who have a history of these disorders are advised to consult a genetic counselor about their options before getting pregnant.

The extent to which a birth defect in a child causes serious issues or not is contingent upon the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. Usually, the more severe the defect is and the more serious the problems will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal growth. You can lower the risk of a birth defect speaking with a genetic counselor as well as learning about the health background of your family, and having a conversation with an expert in genetics.

Structural birth defects are those that change the way a part of your body appears or works. They vary from the obvious such as cleft lips and cleft palate, to the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorder. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations can result in structural birth defects. Environmental factors, like the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord and brain not working as intended.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are a variety of medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to learn more about possible birth defects. One example is amniocentesis, birth defect law Firms which involves a medical professional taking a small amount of fetal fluid for testing. This test may reveal chromosomal irregularities and other health conditions, such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test a fetus' blood, amniotic fluid and even the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are essential in finding out the causes of birth defects. They can also determine the severity of birth defect and the impact it has on a child's future.

Some birth defects might not be detected at the time of birth or, in a few instances even after becoming an adult. This is because the conditions are not detectable until they become apparent, and may only be detected using diagnostic equipment. For these kinds of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness in question is familiar with these techniques and has the appropriate experience to detect these flaws. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney should be able to identify the appropriate specialist for your case.

Find an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

A child born with a severe defect or a serious birth injury can alter the life of a family. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and mental challenges, requiring medical care for a lifetime.

Medical science can explain about 30 percent of birth defect cases, but many others remain a mystery. Research has proven that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, for example those present in prescription or over the counter medications that mothers use and the harmful chemicals that play in certain communities and in homes, or the contaminating groundwater and air.

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

Doctors are also required to determine the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines surgical instruments, and other equipment. It could be a serious risk for a baby in the event that a physician uses the equipment improperly or fails to calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. It is important to contact a medical negligence lawyer immediately when this happens. In some states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical negligence case, so the sooner you start the process the better.

Start with the First Step

birth defect law firms defects affect 1 of 33 babies born each year, and are a major cause of infant death. These issues can be life-threatening, and can trigger long-term physical, cognitive and emotional issues. In some cases, scientists have identified the causes as a mother's exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, toxins accumulated in the environment and maternal infections, the complications of pregnancy and delivery or a family medical history (like genetic diseases like sickle cell diseases or PKU). In the majority of cases, the reason is unknown.

Certain birth defect law Firms defects are readily noticeable and can be detected when a baby is born or in the first year. Some birth defects, like heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, require tests specific to determine the cause.

Researchers are trying determine the cause of birth defects and how they can be avoided. Women who drink, smoke or use illegal drugs while pregnant are more likely to having a child born with certain defects. Women who have a family history of inherited genetic disorders may want to consult with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that can be found in their families and provide it to their doctor or a genetic counselor.