What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing any expecting parents wants to hear: Their child may have a birth defect. These problems could be the result of the the fetal development and can affect the mental or physical health of your child.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be used by a health care provider to determine the presence of certain birth defects during pregnancy. However other birth defects might not be discovered until after your child's birth or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

The reason for many birth defects is not known. However there are several things that can increase the likelihood of having a child with defects. This includes using medications or taking certain medications prior vimeo to pregnancy, a history of having a family member who has a birth defect or having certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women with a family history of these diseases are advised to speak with a genetic counselor prior to getting pregnant.

If a birth defect in a baby causes serious issues or not will depend on the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part affected. The more severe the defect, the more severe the issues will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or environment during fetal development. You can reduce your risk of developing a birth defect by consulting a genetic counselor and learning about the health history of your family and having a conversation with an expert in genetics.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how an element of your body appears or performs. They can be visible, like cleft lips, cleft palettes, or invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic disorders. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a kind of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors, such as a lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects that can result in the brain or spinal cord not developing correctly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo in order to find out more about a possible birth defect. One of them is amniocentesis which involves a healthcare provider taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure could reveal chromosomal variations and other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor can examine the amniotic fluid, blood and fetus's tissues for indications of a birth defect. These tests are vital in finding out the cause of a birth defect. They also aid in determining the severity of the birth defect is and the effects it could affect a child later in the years to come.

Certain birth defects may not be discovered until after the birth of a baby or, in rare instances, even as an adult. This is due to the fact that these conditions are not detectable until they are present, and may only be detected using diagnostic equipment. In these cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness involved is familiar with these techniques and has the right education to recognize these defects. A medical malpractice lawyer with years of experience will be able to determine the best expert for your case.

Find an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

A child born with a severe defect or a serious birth injury can drastically alter the life of the family. These injuries can cause long-term physical and mental issues and require medical treatment for the rest of their lives.

While medical science can identify the causes of 30% of birth defects, many others remain a mystery. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances, like those in prescription or over-the-counter medications that mothers take and toxic chemicals found in the homes and Vimeo communities, or contaminated groundwater and air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to examine a pregnant mother's current medications and inform her of any dangers for the foetus. If they fail to perform this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors also have a duty to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment or fails properly calibrate the equipment, it could have grave consequences for the baby. This is considered to be malpractice. It is essential to contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can should this happen. In some states, you're given only one year to file a claim for medical malpractice therefore it's best to start the process as soon as possible.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the most common cause of infant mortality. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These conditions can be life-threatening and can lead to permanent physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. In a few instances, scientists have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, toxins accumulated in the environment, maternal infections, complications of pregnancy and delivery, or medical history of the family (like genetic illnesses, sickle cell disease or PKU). However, in a majority of all birth defect cases the cause is unknown.

Certain elizabeth birth defect law firm defects are readily visible and can be detected either at birth or during the first year of life. Others, such as heart problems or developmental and intellectual disabilities, aren't as easily identified and require special tests.

Researchers are trying to discover the causes of birth defects and how they can be prevented. For instance smoking or drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the likelihood of having a child with a defect. Women with a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. They can also use 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.