What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing an expecting parent would like to hear: their child may be born with a defect. These kenneth city birth Defect law firm defects can be caused by circumstances that occur during fetal growth and can affect the physical or mental health of your child.

Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be utilized by a health professional to determine the presence of certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects can only be identified after your child's birth or when symptoms start to show.

What is the cause of your child's deformity?

The reason for numerous birth defects remains unclear. However there are several things that can increase the chance of having a baby born with a defect. This includes using medications or taking certain medications prior to the birth, having a family member who has birth defects or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women who have an ancestry of these disorders should speak with a genetic counselor about their options prior to becoming pregnant.

The extent to which a birth defect in a child 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 the birth defect, defect the more serious the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal growth. You can reduce the chance of developing a birth defect by consulting a genetic counselor and learning about the health history of your family, and talking with the geneticist.

Structural birth defects are those that change the way a part of your body appears or functions. They may range from the visible, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, to the invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a kind of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors, such as an absence of folic acids can lead to neural tube defects that cause spinal cord and brain not developing correctly.

Get More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are a number of medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to find out more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis, for instance, is which is when a healthcare professional collects small amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct testing. This procedure may reveal chromosomal irregularities and other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic fluid, blood and fetus's tissues for indications of a birth defect. These tests are vital in diagnosing the root of birth defects. They can also determine the degree of a birth defect and its effects on a child's future.

However some birth defects can be missed until a baby is born, or in rare cases, as an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent when they first appear and are sometimes only detected with equipment for diagnosing. For these types of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness involved is well-versed in these technologies and has the right training to be able to spot these issues. An experienced medical malpractice attorney will be able to identify the appropriate specialist for your particular case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a serious birth injury, it could completely turn the world of a family upside down. These injuries can lead to lasting physical and mental health challenges that require medical attention for the rest of his life.

Although medical science has been able to identify the causes of about 30 percent of birth defects, many others remain unexplained. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, for example those found in prescription or over-the-counter medication that mothers take as well as the toxic chemicals that the heart of some communities and in homes, or the contaminating air and groundwater.

Doctors have a duty to evaluate the mother's current medications, and advise her about any dangers for the baby. If they fail to perform this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety and efficacy of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using this equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could result in grave consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. It is essential to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer immediately if this happens. In certain states, you have only one year to file a medical negligence claim, so the earlier you begin the process, the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect 1 out of 33 newborns every year and are the most common cause of infant death. The conditions are life-threatening and cause long-term mental, emotional and physical challenges. In some instances, researchers have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, toxins that are found in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications of pregnancy and birth or medical history in the family (like genetic diseases, sickle cell disease or PKU). However, in approximately 70% of all birth defect cases the causes are not clear.

Certain birth defects are easily noticeable and can be detected at corona birth defect attorney or within the first year of life. Some birth defects, like heart defects, intellectual and developmental disabilities require specific tests to determine the cause.

Researchers are trying to determine what causes birth defects and how they can be avoided. For example women who smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chance of having a baby with certain defects. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult with a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data about medical conditions that can be found in their families and then share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.