What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing any expecting parent would like to hear: their child may have a birth defect. These issues are caused by the growing up and could affect the physical or mental health of your child.

A medical professional is able to detect some birth defect law firms; these details, defects during pregnancy by using prenatal testing or newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be discovered until after the birth of your child or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

The reason for many birth defects is not known. There are a few factors that increase the chance of a woman having a child with birth defect. Some of these include taking drugs or certain medications prior to conception, having an ancestral history of birth defects, or having medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women with an history of these conditions should speak with an expert in genetic counseling about their options prior to getting pregnant.

Whether a child's birth defect can cause serious health issues or not is contingent upon the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. The more severe the defect is and the more serious the problem will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal development. The risk of having a birth defect is reduced by knowing about your family's history of health issues and genes and speaking with a genetic counselor and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way an element of your body looks or functions. They can range from visible such as cleft lips and cleft palate, to the invisible, like metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Inherited genetic conditions are one type of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors like a lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which result in the spinal cord or the brain not developing correctly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that pregnant mothers is able to undergo in order 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 fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure can reveal chromosomal changes, as well as other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic abnormalities.

A doctor can test the amniotic fluid, blood and the tissues of a fetus for signs of birth defect. These tests are crucial to determining the cause of birth defects. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its effects on a child's future.

Certain birth defects might not be identified until after the birth of a baby or, in rare instances, even as an adult. This is because the problems are not easily identified until they have been identified, and often can only be detected using diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the techniques and the knowledge and experience required to be able identify these defects. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able to identify the right specialist for your case.

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A child born with a severe defect or a severe birth injury can completely change the life of the family. These injuries can lead to long-term physical and Birth Defect law firms mental issues and require medical treatment for the rest of their lives.

While medical science can identify the causes of 30 percent of birth defects, others remain a mystery. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances, such as those in prescription or over-the-counter medications taken by a mother, toxic chemicals in the homes and communities, or contaminated groundwater and air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors have a duty to assess an expectant mother's current medication and inform her about any risks for the baby. If they fail in their duty, they can be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety and efficacy of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray equipment, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could result in serious consequences for a baby's health in the event that a physician uses the equipment negligently or fails to calibrate it correctly. This is considered to be malpractice. If this happens, it's important to seek out a medical malpractice attorney as quickly as you can. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice therefore it's best to start the process as soon as possible.

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Birth defects are the main cause of infant death. They affect one in 33 babies each year. The condition could be life-threatening and cause a myriad of physical, emotional and cognitive difficulties. In some cases, scientists have identified the causes as a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the counter medications, toxins found in the environment and maternal infections, the complications associated with pregnancy and birth or family medical history (like genetic illnesses such as sickle cell disease, PKU). In about 70% of cases, the reason is not known.

Some birth defects are easily visible and can be detected at birth or in the first year of life. Some birth defects, such as heart defects, birth defect Law firms intellectual and developmental disabilities, require special tests to identify.

Researchers are trying determine the cause of birth defects and how they can be prevented. For example smoking, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chance of having a baby with a defect. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to have a baby. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information about medical conditions that can be found in their families and provide it to their doctor or a genetic counselor.