What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a expecting parent would like to hear is that their child could be born with a deformity. These problems are caused by things that happen during growing up and could affect the physical or mental health of your child.

A medical professional is able to detect some birth defects during pregnancy by using newborn screening or prenatal tests. However other birth defects can not be discovered until after your child's birth or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What was the reason for your child's deformity?

The root of many birth defects remains unknown. However there are a few things that can increase the likelihood of having a baby born with defects. These include using drugs or taking certain medications before the birth, having a relative with birth defects or certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women with an history of these conditions should talk to an expert on genetic counseling about their options before getting pregnant.

The degree to which a birth defect causes serious problems or not will depend on which body part is affected and how much of the body part is affected. The more severe the birth defect, the more serious the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused either by genetics or the environment during fetal development. You can reduce the chance of having a birth defect by talking to a genetic counsellor and learning about the health history of your family, and meeting with geneticists.

Structural birth defect lawsuits defects are those that change how a particular part of the body appears or performs. They can range from visible like cleft lips and cleft palate, to the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome problems. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations are one type of structural birth defect while environmental factors such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that can result in the spinal cord or the brain not developing correctly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are several medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to determine a potential birth defect. Amniocentesis is one of them, which entails a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure can reveal chromosomal abnormalities, as well other health conditions, such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

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

However certain birth defects could remain unnoticed until a child is born, or in rare instances, even as an adult. These issues aren't easily detected before they are present and are sometimes only detected through equipment for diagnosing. In these kinds of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness is familiar with these technologies and has the correct education to detect these flaws. A medical malpractice lawyer with expertise should be able to pinpoint the best expert for your case.

Hire an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

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

While medical science can identify the root causes of around 30% of birth defects, others remain unexplained. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances, such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications that mothers take and toxic chemicals found in the community and in homes or groundwater that is contaminated air can cause birth defects.

Doctors have a duty to assess an expectant mother's current medications and advise her of any possible dangers for the baby. If they fail to perform this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects caused by medications.

Doctors also have the responsibility to assess the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray equipment, surgical tools, and any other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using the equipment or fails properly calibrate the equipment it could cause grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is important to contact a medical negligence lawyer immediately when this happens. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a claim for medical malpractice, so it's best to start the process as soon as you can.

Take the First Step

birth Defect law firms defects affect one in 33 babies born every year, and are a major reason for infant mortality. These conditions can be life-threatening and can trigger permanent physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. In some cases, scientists have identified the causes as a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, toxins accumulated in the environment or in the maternal environment, as well as complications during pregnancy and delivery or a medical history in the family (like genetic diseases like sickle cell diseases or PKU). In around 70% of cases, the cause is unknown.

Some birth defects are easily visible and can be detected at birth or in the first year of life. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities aren't as easy to identify and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are trying to discover what causes birth defects and how they can be avoided. Women who drink, smoke or consume illegal substances while pregnant are at greater risk of having a child with certain defects. Women with a family history that involves inherited genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to have a baby. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and then share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.