What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing an expecting parent would like to hear: Their child may be born with a defect. These issues could be the result of the the fetal development and can affect the mental or physical health of your child.

A health care provider can detect birth defects in pregnancy through the prenatal test or newborn screening. Other birth defects could only be identified after the birth of your child or when symptoms are evident.

What was the cause of your child's error?

Many birth defects remain undiscovered. There are several factors that increase the chance of the mother having a child with a birth defect. These include using drugs or taking certain medications before the birth, having a relative with birth defects or certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women who have a family history of these disorders are advised to consult a genetic counselor prior to getting pregnant.

If a birth defect in a baby causes serious problems or not is dependent on which body part is affected and how much of the body part is affected. The more severe a birth defect, the greater the severity of the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the fetal growth. The chance of developing birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history with health issues and genes and speaking with a genetic counselor, and following the guidelines for prenatal care.

Structural defects are birth defect attorney issues that affect how an element of your body appears or performs. They vary from the obvious like cleft lip and cleft palate to the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Genetic disorders that are inherited could be a form of richland birth defect law firm defects with structural causes. Environmental factors, for instance, the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that result in the development of the spinal cord and brain not functioning as it should.

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There are many medical procedures that pregnant mothers may undergo to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis is one example, which is when a healthcare professional collects an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for testing. This test can reveal chromosomal defects and other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic liquid, blood and the fetus's tissues for signs of birth defect. These tests are vital in finding out the reason for birth defect. They can also assist in determining how serious the birth defect could be and the consequences it could affect a child later in his or her adult life.

However some birth defects can remain unnoticed until a child is born, or in rare cases, an adult. This is due to the fact that these issues are not readily apparent until they become apparent, and may only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be conversant with the techniques and the knowledge and experience required to be able to spot these issues. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer will be able to identify the most suitable expert for your particular case.

Find an attorney for Medical Malpractice

A child born with a serious defect or a severe birth injury can alter the life of the family. These injuries can cause lifelong physical and mental challenges, requiring medical care for a lifetime.

While medical science can identify the underlying causes behind about 30 percent of birth defects, others remain unsolved. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances, like those in prescription or over the counter medication taken by mothers or children, harmful chemicals in homes and communities, or contaminated groundwater and air may cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to review the pregnant mother's current medication and inform her of any risks to the foetus. If they fail in their obligation, they can be held liable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors also have the responsibility to assess the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, and any other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using the equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could lead to serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered malpractice. It is essential to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer immediately in the event of this happening. In some states, you're given only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice therefore it's best to start the process as soon as you can.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality. They affect one in 33 babies every year. The condition can be life-threatening and can lead to many long term physical, emotional and cognitive problems. Scientists have, in some instances, birth defect attorney linked the causes of birth defects in mothers' exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs and environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, pregnancy and birth and medical history of the family, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). In the majority of cases, the reason is unknown.

Certain birth defects, such as clubfoot or hearing loss, are easy to see and can be identified at birth or within the first year of a child's life. Certain birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities require specific tests to identify.

Researchers are trying to determine the root of birth defects, and how they can be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or use illegal drugs while pregnant increase their risk for having a child born with certain defects. Women who have an inherited family history of genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and discuss it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.