What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent would like to learn is that their child might be born with a deformity. These birth defects could be the result of circumstances that occur during fetal growth and can affect the physical or mental health of your child.

Screening for newborns and prenatal tests can be utilized by a health care provider to diagnose certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects may only be detected following the birth of your child, or after symptoms appear.

What caused your child's deformity?

Many birth defects are not known. However there are several things that increase a woman's risk of having a child with a defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications before pregnancy, having a family member who has a birth defect or having certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestry of these disorders are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling about their options before getting pregnant.

Whether a child's birth defect can cause serious health issues or not depends on the body part that is affected and how much of the body part affected. The more severe the defect is then the more severe the problems will be.

Most birth defects are caused either by genes or the environment during fetal development. The chance of developing a birth defect can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history of health and genetic issues by speaking to an expert on genetics and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way an element of your body looks or functions. They can be visible, such as cleft lips and cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, like chromosome issues 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 cause neural tube defects that result in the spinal cord or the brain not developing properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are several medical procedures that pregnant women can undergo to find out more about potential birth defects. Amniocentesis is a prime example, which is when a healthcare professional collects tiny amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct examination. This test may reveal chromosomal mutations and other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor can examine the amniotic liquid, blood and tissues of a fetus for indications of a birth defect. These tests are crucial in determining the cause of birth defect. They also aid in determining the severity of a birth defect will be and the effect it may have on a child in their adulthood.

However certain mckeesport birth defect lawyer defects could be unnoticed until the baby is born or, in rare cases, an adult. These conditions are not detectable until they have been identified, and are often recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these cases the medical expert witness must be familiar with the latest technologies and possess the necessary training to be able to spot the defects. An experienced medical malpractice attorney is able to determine the most appropriate expert for your particular case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a serious middleton birth Defect law firm injury, it can completely turn the world of a family upside down. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and emotional problems that often require ongoing medical treatment.

Medical science is able to explain approximately 30 percent of birth defects but the rest are still unsolved. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances like those in prescription or over the counter medicines taken by mothers, toxic chemicals in the community and in homes as well as contaminated groundwater and air can cause birth defects.

Doctors must evaluate the medications taken by the expecting mother and inform her of any potential dangers for the foetus. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors also have a responsibility to examine the safety of any procedure or device they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could result in serious consequences for a newborn baby should a doctor use the equipment improperly or does not calibrate it properly. This is considered medical malpractice. In the event of this you should seek out a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can. In some states you have only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice therefore it's best to start the process as soon as you can.

Take the First Step

Birth defects affect one in 33 babies born each year and are a major cause of infant mortality. These conditions are life-threatening and cause long-term mental, emotional and physical issues. In some instances, scientists have connected the causes to mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, toxins found in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications of pregnancy and delivery or medical history of the family (like genetic illnesses such as sickle cell disease, PKU). However, in approximately 70% of birth defects cases the cause is unknown.

Some birth defects are easily detectable and can be identified at birth or within the first year of life. Some birth defects, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, require tests specific to be identified.

Researchers are trying to determine the causes of birth defects and how they can be avoided. For instance, women who smoke or drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the likelihood of having a child with a defect. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult with a genetic counselor before trying to have a baby. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data about medical conditions that can be found in their families and then share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.