What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing an expecting parent would like to hear: Their child could be born with a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by the things that happen during fetal development and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

A health care provider is able to detect some birth defects during pregnancy with newborn screening or prenatal tests. However other birth defects might not be diagnosed until after the birth of your child or later when they develop symptoms.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

The root of numerous birth defects remains unclear. However there are several factors that can increase a woman's risk of having a child with defects. One of them is taking certain medications or prescription drugs before getting pregnant, having an ancestral history of birth defects, or having medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women who have an established history of these diseases should talk to a genetic counselor about their options before getting pregnant.

If a birth defect in a baby causes serious problems or not is contingent upon the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. The more severe a birth defect, the more serious the problems.

Most birth defects are caused through genetics or environmental factors during fetal growth. You can reduce the chance of having a birth defect by consulting a genetic counselor, learning about the health history of your family, and meeting with geneticists.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how the body looks or functions. They can be obvious, like cleft lips or cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations are one kind of structural birth defect while environmental factors such as the lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which can result in the spinal cord or the brain not developing properly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that a pregnant woman is able to undergo in order to learn more about a possible birth defect. Amniocentesis is one of them, which involves a medical professional taking a small sample of fetal fluid to test. This procedure can reveal chromosomal defects and other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic fluid, blood and tissues of a fetus for signs of a birth defect attorney defect. These tests are essential to diagnosing the root of a birth defect. They also aid in determining how severe a birth defect could be and the consequences it could be having on a child's the years to come.

Certain birth defects might not be recognized until after a baby's Birth Defect Law Firms or, in a few instances even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable when they occur and are often only discovered by using diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be familiar with the latest technologies and possess the necessary training to be able identify these issues. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer is able to determine the most appropriate expert for your case.

Hire an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

A child born with a serious defect or birth injury can alter the life of a family. These injuries can cause lifelong physical and mental challenges that require medical attention for a lifetime.

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

Doctors are required to assess an expectant mother's current medications, and advise her about any dangers for the foetus. When they fail in this obligation, they could be held liable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines surgical tools, and any other equipment. This could cause serious harm for a newborn baby if a doctor uses the equipment in error or does not calibrate it properly. This is considered to be malpractice. When this happens, it's important to contact a medical negligence lawyer as soon as you can. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a case for medical malpractice therefore it's best to start the process as soon as possible.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects affect 1 of 33 babies born each year and are the most common cause of infant mortality. These conditions could be life-threatening and result in a variety of long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical difficulties. Scientists have in some cases connected the birth defects' causes due to exposure of the mother to prescription and non-prescription drugs, environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, the birth and pregnancy, family medical history, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic diseases). In around 70% of cases, the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects are easily noticeable and can be detected at birth or within the first year of life. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or birth Defect law firms developmental and intellectual disabilities, aren't as easily identifiable and require specialized tests.

Researchers are trying determine the cause of birth defects and how they can be prevented. For instance smoking or drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their risk of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult with a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They may also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data regarding medical conditions that are prevalent through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.