What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a expecting parent would like to hear is that their child might have a birth defect. These birth defects may be caused by a variety of events that occur during pregnancy and can impact the physical or mental health of your child.

A doctor can detect birth defects in pregnancy through prenatal tests or newborn screening. However other birth defects could not be identified until after the birth of your child or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

Many birth defects remain unknown. There are a few factors which can increase the chances of pregnant women having children with birth defect. Some of these include taking certain medications or prescription drugs before getting pregnant, having an ancestral history of birth defects, or having certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women who have an ancestral history of these conditions are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling prior to becoming pregnant.

If a birth defect in a baby can cause serious health issues or not is dependent on which body part is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. The more severe the defect is it, the more serious the problem will be.

Most birth defects are caused either by genes or the environment during fetal growth. You can lessen the risk of developing a birth defect by speaking with a genetic counselor and learning about the health background of your family, and meeting with an expert in genetics.

Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way an area of your body appears or performs. They may be visible, like cleft lips and Cleft palettes, but also invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic disorders. Inherited genetic conditions are one kind of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors such as a lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which cause brain or spinal cord not developing correctly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures pregnant mothers can undergo in order to determine the cause of the possibility of birth defects. One of them is amniocentesis which entails a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid for testing. This test could reveal chromosomal variations, as well as other health conditions such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor can also examine the blood of a fetus or amniotic fluid as well as the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are essential to determining the cause of birth defects. They also aid in determining how severe a birth defect could be and the consequences it could have on a child in their adult life.

Certain birth defects may not be identified at the time of birth or, in a few instances, even as an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent when they first appear and are sometimes only detected by using equipment for diagnosing. In these cases the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the technologies and have the education required to be able to spot the defects. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney is able to determine the most suitable expert for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Attorney

If a child is born with a severe birth defect attorney defect or suffers a devastating birth injury, it could completely turn a family's world upside down. These injuries can lead to lasting physical and mental health challenges, requiring medical care for the rest of his life.

While medical science can identify the causes of about 30 percent of birth defects, many others remain unexplained. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medication taken by mothers or in toxic chemicals found in communities and homes, or contaminated groundwater and air may cause birth defects.

Doctors must evaluate the medication taken by a pregnant mother and inform her of any possible dangers for the fetus. If they fail to perform this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to determine 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 to properly calibrate the equipment it could cause grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered to be malpractice. In the event of this it's crucial to speak with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice therefore it's best to begin the process as soon as possible.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These issues are life-threatening, and they can cause permanent physical, cognitive and emotional problems. In some instances, researchers have connected the causes to mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, toxins accumulated in the environment and lloyd.lunn maternal infections, the complications of pregnancy and birth or medical history in the family (like genetic illnesses, sickle cell disease or PKU). In the majority of cases, the cause is unknown.

Some birth defects are easily evident and can be found either at birth or during the first year. Some birth defects, such as heart defects, intellectual and developmental disabilities, require special tests to identify.

Researchers are trying to figure out what can cause birth defects and how some of them may be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs when pregnant are at greater risk of having a child with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult with a genetic counselor before trying to be pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that can be found in their families and provide it to their doctor or a genetic counselor.