What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing an expectant parent wants to hear: Their child could be born with a birth defect. These defects can be caused by the growing up and could affect the mental or physical health of your child.

A medical professional can detect birth defects during pregnancy with the prenatal test or newborn screening. Other birth defects may be discovered only after the birth of your child, or after symptoms are evident.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

The causes of the majority of birth defects is still unknown. There are some things that could increase the likelihood of the mother having a child with birth defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications before pregnancy, a history of having a family member that has a south gate birth Defect Lawsuit defect or having 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 getting pregnant.

If a birth defect in a baby causes serious problems or not is contingent upon which body part is affected and how much of the body part is affected. The more severe the defect it, the more serious the issues will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused through genetics or environmental factors during fetal development. You can reduce the chance of having a birth defect by speaking with a genetic counselor or a health professional, gaining knowledge about the history of your family, and speaking with an expert in genetics.

Structural birth imperfections are those that alter how a specific part of the body appears or performs. They can be visible, like cleft lips and cleft palettes, or invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Inherited genetic conditions are one type of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors like an absence of folic acids can lead to neural tube defects that result in the brain or spinal cord not developing properly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are a variety of medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to find out more about possible birth defects. One example is amniocentesis, which involves a medical professional taking a small amount of the fetal fluid to be tested. This procedure could reveal chromosomal anomalies, as well other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic fluid, blood and fetus's tissues to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are essential in determining the cause of a birth defect. They also aid in determining the severity of the birth defect could be and the consequences it could have on a child's his or her adult life.

However certain birth defects may remain unnoticed until a child is born, or in rare cases, as an adult. These issues are not readily apparent until they have been identified, and are often identified with the use of diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness in question is familiar with these techniques and has the correct experience to identify such defects. An experienced medical malpractice attorney should be able to identify the right expert for your case.

Find a Medical Malpractice Attorney

When a child is born with a serious greencastle birth defect law firm defect or suffers a devastating birth injury, it can completely turn a family's lives upside down. These injuries can cause life-long physical and emotional challenges, often requiring a lifetime of medical care.

Medical science can pinpoint the causes of about 30% of birth defects, many others remain unexplained. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances, like those in prescription or over the counter medications taken by a mother or in toxic chemicals found in homes and communities or in groundwater that has been contaminated with air may cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to evaluate the mother's current medications and inform her about any risks to the foetus. If they fail in this obligation, they could 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 devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using this equipment or fails to correctly calibrate the equipment, it could result in serious consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. It's important to contact a medical negligence lawyer immediately in the event of this happening. In certain states, you have only one year to file a case for medical malpractice and it's recommended to start the process as soon as possible.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects are the main cause of infant mortality. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These conditions can be life-threatening and cause long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges. Researchers have in a few instances linked the causes of birth defects due to exposure of the mother to prescription and non-prescription drugs as well as environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during the birth and pregnancy and family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). In the majority of cases, the reason is unknown.

Certain birth defects, such as hearing loss or a clubfoot are easily identifiable and can be detected from birth or within the first year of a child's existence. Others, such as heart problems or intellectual and developmental disabilities are not as easily identified and require special tests.

Researchers are trying to discover the causes of birth defects and how them can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or take illegal drugs while pregnant are at greater risk of having a child born with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. They may also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information regarding medical conditions that are prevalent through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.