What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's not something that any expecting parent would like to hear: Their child may have a birth defect. These problems are caused by circumstances that occur during growing up and could affect the physical or mental health of your child.

A health care provider can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy using the prenatal test or newborn screening. Other birth defects may only be identified after your child's birth or when symptoms start to show.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

The root of the majority of parma heights birth defect lawyer defects is still unknown. However there are several things that can increase the chance of having a baby born with a defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications before pregnancy, a history of having a family member that has a birth defect or having certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women with a family history of these diseases are advised to consult a genetic counselor prior to becoming pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child is contingent on the body part affected and the extent to which it is affected. Typically, the more severe the defect, the more severe the problems will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the development of the fetus. The chance of developing college park birth defect lawyer defects can be reduced by learning about your family's history of genes and health issues, talking to an expert in genetic counseling and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way an element of your body appears or functions. They can be visible, such as cleft lips and cleft palettes, or invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations may be a sign of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental causes, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord and brain not working as intended.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures that pregnant women undergo to find out more about the possibility of a birth defect. One of these is amniocentesis which involves a healthcare provider taking a small amount of fetal fluid to test. This procedure can reveal chromosomal modifications in addition to other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic abnormalities.

A doctor can also examine the fetus's blood as well as amniotic fluid and the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are essential in determining the root of birth defects. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its effects on the adult life of a child.

Some birth defects may not be discovered until after the birth of a child or, in a few instances, even as an adult. These issues aren't easily detected when they first appear and are usually only detected with diagnostic equipment. For these kinds of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness is well-versed in these technologies and has the appropriate education to identify such defects. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer will be able to identify the right expert for your particular case.

Find a Medical Malpractice Attorney

A child born with a serious defect or severe birth injury can completely change the life of a family. These injuries can cause lasting physical and mental health challenges and require medical treatment for the rest of their lives.

Medical science may explain around 30 percent of birth defect cases, but many others remain a mystery. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, for example those that are found in prescription and over-the-counter medications that mothers use as well as the toxic chemicals that the heart of some communities and homes, or in contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors are required to evaluate the medications taken by the mother-to-be and inform her of any possible risks for the fetus. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they can be held liable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray equipment, surgical tools, and any other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a child if a doctor uses the equipment in error or fails to calibrate it correctly. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is essential to contact a medical negligence lawyer as soon as you can should this happen. In certain states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical malpractice case, so the earlier you start the process, the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect 1 out of 33 babies born every year, and are a major reason for infant death. The conditions can be life-threatening and can result in a variety of long-term physical, emotional and cognitive challenges. Scientists have in a few cases connected the birth defects' causes to exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs and environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during the new hampshire birth defect lawyer and pregnancy, family medical history, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease PKU, or other genetic diseases). However, in the majority of birth defects cases, the causes are unknown.

Certain birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot are easy to spot and are easily diagnosed at birth or in the first year of a child's life. Some birth defects, such as heart defects, developmental and intellectual disabilities, require tests specific to identify.

Researchers are attempting to determine what can cause birth defects and how some of them may be prevented. For instance women who smoke, 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 passed down through generations may wish to consult with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and provide it to their doctor or a genetic counselor.