What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's not something that any expectant parent wants to hear: Their child could be born with a birth defect. These problems can be caused by things that happen during growing up and could affect the mental or physical health of your child.

A medical professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy using prenatal testing or newborn screening. Other birth defects could only be detected after your child's birth or when symptoms start to show.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

The reason for the majority of birth defects is still unknown. However there are several factors that can increase a woman's risk of having a child born with defects. These include taking prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a relative with birth defects or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women who have a family history of these diseases are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling prior to becoming pregnant.

The degree to which a birth defect can cause serious health issues or not is contingent upon which body part is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. Typically, the more severe the defect is, the more severe the issues will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during fetal development. You can reduce the chance of a birth defect consulting with a genetic counsellor as well as learning about the health history of your family, and talking with an expert in genetics.

Structural birth defects are those that change how a part of the body appears or functions. They may be visible, such as cleft lips and Cleft palettes, or they can be invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a kind of structural birth defect, while environmental factors such as the absence of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which cause spinal cord or brain not developing properly.

Get More Evidence than You Think

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo in order to find out more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis, for instance, is where a doctor collects small amounts of fluid from the fetus for examination. This test could reveal chromosomal anomalies and other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the amniotic fluid, blood and fetus's tissues for signs of birth defect. These tests are vital in diagnosing the root of birth defect. They also aid in determining the severity of the birth defect is and the effect it may have on a child in the years to come.

Certain birth defects might not be discovered until after a baby's birth or, in a few instances even as an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent before they are present and are sometimes only detected by using equipment for diagnosing. In these cases the medical expert witness must be conversant with the latest technologies and possess the necessary training to be able identify these issues. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer should be able to identify the most appropriate expert for your particular case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Attorney

A child born with a severe defect or Vimeo a serious birth injury can alter the life of the family. These injuries can cause permanent physical and mental problems needing medical attention for the rest of his life.

While medical science is able to pinpoint the root causes of around 30 percent of birth defects, many others remain unexplained. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, including those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications that mothers use or the toxic chemicals at work in some communities and homes, or contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the medication used by the mother-to-be and inform her of any possible risks to the embryo. If they fail to perform this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses the equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could cause grave consequences for the baby. This is considered to be malpractice. It is crucial to contact a medical negligence lawyer immediately if this happens. In certain states, you have only a single year to file a medical negligence case, so the faster you begin the process the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

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

Some birth defects are easily noticeable and can be detected at birth or within the first year. Other conditions, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, aren't as easy to identify and require specialized tests.

Researchers are trying to discover the cause of freeport birth defect lawsuit defects and how they can be avoided. For instance, women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the likelihood of having a child with certain birth defects. Women with a family history involving genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult with a genetic counselor before 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.