What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a new parent would like to hear is that their child could have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by factors that occur during the development of the fetus and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be used by a healthcare professional to identify certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other birth defects could not be discovered until after the baby is born or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What caused your child's deformity?

The cause of the majority of birth defects is still unknown. However there are a few factors that can increase the risk of having a baby with a defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, having a family member with an abnormal birth or certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women who have an ancestral background of these disorders are advised to speak with an expert on genetics prior to getting pregnant.

If a birth defect in a baby causes serious issues or not depends on the body part that is affected and how much of the body part affected. The more severe the birth defect, the more serious the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused either by genes or environment during fetal development. You can reduce the chance of developing a birth defect [https://heavenarticle.com/Author/cheesecomic4-430399/] by consulting a genetic counselor and learning about the health background of your family and speaking with geneticists.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how an element of your body appears or performs. They may be visible like cleft lips and cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Inherited genetic conditions could be a form of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental causes, such as an absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that lead to brain or spinal cord development not functioning properly.

Get More Evidence than You Think

There are many medical procedures pregnant mothers can undergo to determine the cause of the possibility of birth defects. One of them is amniocentesis which involves a medical professional taking a small amount of the fetal fluid to be tested. This procedure can reveal chromosomal defects and other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the amniotic liquid, blood and tissues of a fetus for signs of birth defect. These tests are crucial in finding out the cause of a birth defect. They can also determine the severity of birth defect and its effect on the adult life of a child.

Some birth defects may not be identified at the time of birth or, in some rare cases even after becoming an adult. These problems aren't visible when they first appear and are usually only detected by using equipment for diagnosing. In these instances the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the technologies and have the necessary training to recognize the defects. An experienced medical malpractice attorney is able to determine the most appropriate expert for your particular case.

Hire an attorney for Medical Malpractice

A child born with a serious defect or a severe birth injury can alter the life of a family. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and emotional issues, often requiring an entire lifetime of medical attention.

Medical science can pinpoint the underlying causes behind about 30 percent of birth defects others remain unsolved. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, such as those present in prescription or over the counter medications that mothers use as well as the toxic chemicals that work in some communities and homes, or in contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors are required to evaluate the medication used by the mother-to-be and inform her of any possible dangers for the embryo. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any equipment or procedure they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using the equipment or fails correctly calibrate the equipment, it could lead to grave consequences for the baby. This is a case of malpractice. It's important to contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can in the event of this happening. In some states you have only one year to file a case for medical malpractice and it's recommended to start the process as soon as possible.

Take the First Step

Birth defects affect 1 of 33 babies born every year, and are a leading cause of infant death. These conditions are life-threatening and result in a variety of long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical problems. In some instances, scientists have identified the cause to be a mother's exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, toxins accumulated in the environment and maternal infections, the complications of pregnancy and birth or family medical history (like genetic diseases, sickle cell disease or PKU). However, in the majority of all birth defects the cause is not known.

Certain birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easy to spot and are easily diagnosed at birth or in the first year of a child's existence. Certain birth defects, like heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, require specific tests to determine the cause.

Researchers are attempting to determine the causes of birth defects and how some of them may be prevented. For example women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chance of having a baby with certain defects. Women with an inherited family history of genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They may also use the March of Dimes Family Health Form to collect information about medical conditions that can be traced through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.