What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent wants to hear is that their child may have a birth defect. These issues are caused by events that occur during pregnancy and can impact the physical or mental health of your child.

Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be used by a health professional to determine the presence of certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects could only be identified after the birth of your child, or after symptoms appear.

What caused your child's deficiency?

The causes of many birth defects remains unknown. There are some things which can increase the chances of being pregnant with a child with a birth defect. One of them is taking certain medications or drugs before getting pregnant or having a family history of birth defects or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women with a family background of these disorders are advised to speak with an expert on genetics prior to becoming pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child depends on the body part affected and how severe the damage. The more severe a birth defect, the more serious the problems.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during fetal development. You can reduce the chance of a birth defect consulting a genetic counselor or a health professional, gaining knowledge about the background of your family, and having a conversation with an expert in genetics.

Structural collegeville birth defect law firm problems are those that alter how a part of the body appears or functions. They can be visible, like cleft lips, Cleft palettes, but also invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic disorders. Inherited genetic conditions are one type of birth defect that is structural, and environmental factors like the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that can result in the spinal cord or the brain not developing properly.

Gather More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are a number of medical procedures pregnant women can undergo to discover more about a potential guttenberg birth defect lawyer defect. Amniocentesis is a prime example, in which a healthcare professional takes a small sample of fluid from the fetus to conduct examination. This test can reveal chromosomal modifications in addition to other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor can examine the amniotic fluid, blood and tissues of a fetus for signs of birth defect. These tests are crucial in finding out the cause of birth defects. They can also assist in determining how severe the birth defect is and the impact it will have on a child's their adulthood.

Some birth defects may not be identified at the time of birth or, in rare instances even after becoming an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent when they occur and can be detected through equipment for diagnosing. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be conversant with the latest technologies and possess the training necessary to identify these flaws. An experienced medical malpractice attorney should be able to identify the appropriate specialist for your particular case.

Employ an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

When a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a devastating birth injury, it could completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and mental challenges that require medical attention for the rest of their lives.

While medical science can identify the causes of about 30 percent of birth defects others remain a mystery. Research has proven that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, for example those present in prescription or over the counter medicines that mothers are prescribed as well as the toxic chemicals that working in some communities and homes, as well as contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors have a duty to evaluate the mother's current medications and advise her of any risks to the baby. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they can be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety and efficacy of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a baby if a doctor uses the equipment in error or does not calibrate it correctly. This would be considered malpractice. When this happens it's crucial to consult a medical malpractice attorney as quickly as you can. In certain states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical negligence case, so the earlier you begin the process, the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the main cause of infant death. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These conditions can be life-threatening and they can cause long-term physical, mental and emotional difficulties. Scientists have in some cases identified the causes of birth defects due to exposure of the mother to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and birth and 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, including clubfoot or hearing loss, are easily identifiable and are easily diagnosed from birth or within the first year of a child's existence. Some birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and development disabilities, require tests specific to identify.

Researchers are trying to discover what can cause Illinois Birth Defect Law Firm defects and how some of these can be avoided. Women who drink, smoke or consume illegal substances while pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child born with certain defects. Women with a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. They could also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data about medical conditions that can be traced through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.