What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a new parent wants to be told is that their child might have a birth deformity. These birth defects are caused by things that happen during fetal development and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

A health care provider is able to detect some birth defects in pregnancy through newborn screening or prenatal tests. However, other birth defects may not be diagnosed until after the baby is born or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What is the reason for your child's defect?

The causes of many birth defects remains unknown. However there are some factors that increase a woman's risk of having a baby born with defects. These include using drugs or taking certain medications before pregnancy, having a family member with birth defects or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women with an established history of these diseases should talk to a genetic counselor about their options prior to getting pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a baby is dependent on the body part that is affected and the degree to which it is affected. The more severe the birth defect, the greater the severity of the problems.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the development of the fetus. The risk of having birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history with health issues and genes by speaking to a genetic counselor, and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way an area of your body looks or performs. They may range from the visible like cleft lips and birth defects cleft palate, up to the invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations may be a sign of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, such as the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that lead to 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 in order to discover more about the possibility of birth defects (Recommended Web page). Amniocentesis, for instance, is where a doctor collects a small sample of fluid from the fetus to conduct testing. This procedure may reveal chromosomal mutations, as well as other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic abnormalities.

A doctor may also test the blood of a fetus as well as amniotic fluid and the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are crucial in finding out the cause of birth defects. They can also determine the degree of a birth defect and its effects on a child's life.

However, some birth defects can be unnoticed until the baby is born or, in rare cases, as an adult. These issues aren't easily detected when they occur and are sometimes only detected by using equipment for diagnosing. In these instances the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the techniques and the training necessary to identify these flaws. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able to identify the best expert for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a severe defect or severe birth injury can drastically alter the life of a family. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and emotional challenges, often requiring the need for a lifetime of medical treatment.

Although medical science has been able to identify the causes of about 30% of birth defects, others remain a mystery. Research has proven that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, including those present in prescription or over the counter medications a mother takes or the toxic chemicals at the heart of some communities and in homes, or the contaminating air and groundwater.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the medication used by the expecting mother and inform her of any potential dangers to the embryo. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they can be held liable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, and other equipment. This could cause serious harm for a baby should a doctor use the equipment in a negligent manner or does not calibrate it properly. This is considered medical malpractice. It is essential to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can when this happens. In certain states, you have only one year to file a medical negligence case, so the faster you begin the process, the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect one out of 33 babies born every year, and are a major reason for infant mortality. These issues are life-threatening, and they can cause long-term physical, mental and emotional issues. Scientists have in some cases connected the causes of birth defects to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines as well as environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, the birth defect attorney and pregnancy and family medical history or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic diseases). However, in a majority of birth defects cases the cause is unknown.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot are easy to spot and can be identified from birth or within the first year of a child's life. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, are not as easy to identify and require special tests.

Researchers are attempting to determine the causes of birth defects and how them may be prevented. For example smoking and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chance of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to conceive. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and then share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.