What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing that an expecting parent would like to hear: Their child could be born with a birth defect. These defects are caused by circumstances that occur during pregnancy and can impact the physical or mental health of your child.

Screening for newborns and prenatal tests can be used by a healthcare professional to diagnose certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects can be discovered only after your child's birth or when symptoms are evident.

What is the cause of your child's deformity?

The root of many birth defects remains unknown. However there are a few factors that increase the risk of having a child born with a defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications before the birth, having a family member that has a birth defect or having certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestral background of these disorders are advised to consult a genetic counsellor before getting pregnant.

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

Most birth defects are caused by genes or environment during fetal growth. The risk of having birth defects is reduced by knowing about your family's history of genes and health issues and speaking with an expert on genetics and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth defects are those that change how a part of the body appears or functions. They may be visible like cleft lips, cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Genetic disorders that are inherited can be a type of birth defects that are structural. Environmental causes, such as a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal cord and brain not being correct.

Gather More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are a variety of medical procedures a pregnant woman can undergo to learn more about potential birth defects. One of them is amniocentesis which involves a medical professional taking a small sample of fetal fluid for analysis. This test could reveal chromosomal anomalies as well as other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic liquid, blood and the tissues of a fetus to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are essential to finding out the reason for a birth defect. They also aid in determining the severity of the birth defect is and the consequences it could affect a child later in their adult life.

However, some birth defects can go undetected until a baby is born or, in rare instances, when an adult. This is because the conditions aren't easily detected until they are present, and often can only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these instances the medical expert witness must be familiar with the technologies and have the knowledge and experience required to recognize the defects. A lawyer who has experience should be able identify the appropriate expert for your case.

Employ an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

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

Medical science can pinpoint the root causes of around 30 percent of birth defect attorneys defects others remain unsolved. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defect lawyer defects, for example those present in prescription or over the counter medications that mothers use, the toxic chemicals at the heart of some communities and homes, as well as contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors are required to examine a pregnant mother's current medication and inform her about any risks to the embryo. If they fail to fulfill this obligation, they can be held responsible for Birth Defect Attorney 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 machines surgical tools, and other equipment. This could cause serious harm for a baby's health should a doctor use the equipment in a negligent manner or does not calibrate it correctly. This is considered to be malpractice. It is crucial to contact a medical malpractice lawyer immediately if this happens. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a case for medical malpractice which is why it's important to begin the process as soon as possible.

Begin by completing the first Step

Birth defects affect one out of 33 newborns each year and are a major cause of infant mortality. The condition can be life-threatening and can cause long-term physical, emotional and cognitive challenges. In some cases, scientists have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, toxins accumulated in the environment and maternal infections, the complications associated with pregnancy and birth, or family medical history (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease or PKU). In about 70% of cases, the reason is unknown.

Certain birth defects are readily detectable and can be identified at birth or within the first year. Certain birth defects, like heart defects, intellectual and developmental disabilities require special tests to identify.

Researchers are trying to figure out what causes birth defects and how they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or consume illegal substances while pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child born with certain defects. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to have a baby. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that run in their families and discuss it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.