What Causes a Birth Defect?

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

Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be used by a healthcare professional to identify certain birth defects during pregnancy. Other birth defects may be discovered only after your child's birth or when symptoms begin to appear.

What was the reason for your child's deformity?

Many birth defects remain unknown. There are several factors that could increase the likelihood of being pregnant with a child with birth defect. This includes using medications or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a family member that has a birth defect or having certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestral history of these conditions are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling prior to becoming pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child depends on the body part that is affected and the degree to which it is affected. The more severe the defect then the more severe the issues will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal growth. The chance of developing birth defects can be reduced by learning about your family's history with genes and health issues or talking to a genetic counselor, and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth problems are those that alter how a particular part of the body appears or functions. They can range from visible like cleft lip and cleft palate, to the invisibly, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic disorders that are inherited may be a sign of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, for instance, the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that result in brain or spinal cord development not working as intended.

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There are a number of medical procedures pregnant women can undergo to learn more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis is one of them, which entails a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid for testing. This procedure could reveal chromosomal anomalies as well as other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor birth defect attorney can also test a fetus' blood or amniotic fluid as well as the tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are crucial in determining the root of birth defects. They also aid in determining how severe a birth defect could be and the effect it may have on a child in their adult life.

Some birth defects might not be recognized until after the birth of a baby or, in rare instances even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable when they occur and are often only discovered through diagnostic equipment. For these kinds of cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness is well-versed in these technologies and has the appropriate training to be able to detect these flaws. A lawyer who has expertise should be able to pinpoint the most appropriate specialist for your case.

Find an attorney for Medical Malpractice

When a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a severe birth injury, it can completely turn the world of a family upside down. These injuries can cause lifelong physical and mental challenges and require medical treatment for the rest of their lives.

While medical science is able to pinpoint the causes of 30% of birth defects, many others remain a mystery. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, like those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medication that mothers take and the harmful chemicals that work in some communities and homes, as well as contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors are required to assess an expectant mother's current medication and inform her about any risks for the embryo. If they fail to fulfill this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any equipment or procedure they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray equipment, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment or fails to correctly calibrate the equipment, it could result in serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. If this occurs, it's important to contact a medical negligence lawyer as soon as you can. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice, so it's best to start the process as soon as possible.

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birth Defect Attorney defects affect one of 33 babies born every year, and are a major reason for infant mortality. The conditions are life-threatening and cause long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical difficulties. Researchers have in a few instances connected the birth defects' causes to exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs and environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and birth, family medical history, or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic illnesses). However, in the majority of birth defect lawsuit defects cases the causes are not clear.

Certain birth defects are easily visible and can be detected when a baby is born or in the first year. Other conditions, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities aren't as easily identifiable and require special tests.

Researchers are trying to discover what causes birth defects and how they can be avoided. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs when pregnant increase their risk for Birth Defect Attorney having a child with certain defects. Women who have a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data on medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.