What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing that any expecting parent wants to hear is that their child could have a birth defect. These problems are caused by things that occur during the fetal stage and could affect your child's physical or mental health.

Testing for prenatal and newborns can be utilized by a health professional to detect certain birth defects during pregnancy. Other birth defects could only be identified after the birth of your child or if symptoms are evident.

What was the reason for your child's deformity?

Many birth defects are not known. There are several factors which can increase the chances of being pregnant with a child with birth defect. One of them is using certain medications or taking certain drugs before getting pregnant, having an ancestral history of birth defects, or having certain medical conditions like rheumatic disease. Women who have an ancestry of these disorders should speak with an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior to becoming pregnant.

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

Most Palmdale Birth Defect Lawsuit defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal development. You can reduce the chance of a birth deformity by consulting a genetic counselor as well as learning about the health history of your family and talking with geneticists.

Structural birth imperfections are those that alter the way a part of your body appears or performs. They can be obvious, such as cleft lips and Cleft palettes, but also invisible, such as chromosome disorders 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 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 variety of medical procedures a pregnant woman can undergo to find out more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis, for instance, is where a healthcare provider takes small amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct testing. This test can reveal chromosomal defects and other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic liquid, blood and tissues of a fetus for signs of a lynn haven birth defect lawyer defect. These tests are crucial in determining the root of birth defects. They also aid in determining how severe the birth defect could be and the effect it may affect a child later in his or her adult life.

However some fort pierce birth defect lawsuit defects can remain unnoticed until a child is born, or in rare cases, as an adult. This is because these issues are not readily apparent until they have been identified, and can sometimes only be recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these cases the medical expert witness must be familiar with the technologies and have the knowledge and experience required to identify these issues. A medical malpractice lawyer with expertise should be able to pinpoint the right specialist for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a severe defect or birth injury can drastically alter the life of the family. These injuries can cause permanent physical and mental problems, requiring medical care for the rest of his life.

Medical science may explain around 30 percent of birth defects, but many others remain unsolved. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances, like those found in prescription or over-the-counter medication taken by mothers and toxic chemicals found in the homes and communities or groundwater that is contaminated air can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the medication used by a pregnant mother and inform her of any possible dangers to the fetus. If they fail to perform this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using this equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could have serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is important to contact a medical negligence lawyer immediately should this happen. In certain states, you have only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice, so it's best to start the process as soon as you can.

Begin by completing the first Step

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These issues could be life-threatening, and can lead to long-term physical, cognitive and emotional issues. In some instances, researchers have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, toxins found in the environment or in the maternal environment, as well as complications during pregnancy and delivery or a medical history of the family (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease, PKU). In around 70% of cases, the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects, such as hearing loss or clubfoot, are easy to see and are easily diagnosed at birth or in the first year of a child's life. Other conditions, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, aren't as easily identifiable and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are working to understand the causes of birth defects and how some of them can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or consume illegal substances while pregnant are at greater risk of having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of inheritance genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.