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 can be caused by circumstances that occur during growing up and could affect the mental or physical health of your child.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be utilized by a healthcare professional to identify certain birth defects during pregnancy. Other birth defects can only be detected following the north aurora birth defect law firm of your child, or after symptoms begin to appear.

What is the reason for your child's defect?

The causes of numerous birth defects remains unclear. However there are a few things that increase the chance of having a child with a defect. This includes using medications or taking certain medications before pregnancy, a history of having a family member who has birth defects or certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestral history of these disorders are advised to consult an expert on genetics prior to getting pregnant.

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

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal development. You can lower the risk of having a birth defect by consulting with a genetic counsellor, learning about the health background of your family, and having a conversation with the geneticist.

Structural birth imperfections are those that alter how a particular part of the body looks or works. They can range from the visible like cleft lips and cleft palate, up to the invisibly, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome problems. Inherited genetic conditions are one kind of structural birth defect and environmental factors like the lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects that result in the spinal cord or the brain not developing properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a number of medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to learn more about possible birth defects. One example is amniocentesis, which entails a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid for testing. This procedure can reveal chromosomal modifications as well as other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also examine the fetus's blood amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are essential in finding out the reason for birth defect. They also aid in determining how serious a birth defect will be and the effects it could have on a child's his or her adult life.

Certain birth defects might not be recognized until after the birth of a child or, in rare cases, even as an adult. These problems aren't visible prior to their onset and are often only discovered with diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness involved is well-versed in these technologies and has the right knowledge to identify such defects. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney should be able to identify the most suitable expert for your particular case.

Employ an attorney for Medical Malpractice

When a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a severe birth injury, it can completely turn a family's lives upside down. These injuries can cause lifelong physical and mental challenges that require medical attention for the rest of their lives.

Medical science could explain up to 30 percent of birth defects, but many others are still a mystery. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances, like those found in prescription or over the counter medication taken by mothers or children, harmful chemicals in the community and in homes as well as contaminated groundwater and air may cause birth defects.

Doctors must evaluate the medication taken by a pregnant mother and inform her of any possible risks for the baby. If they fail to meet this duty, they may be held accountable for monroe birth defect lawyer defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, and any other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a child if a doctor uses the equipment in a negligent manner or does not calibrate it correctly. This is considered to be malpractice. It is essential to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer immediately should this happen. In some states you have only one year to file a claim for medical malpractice and it's recommended to start the process as soon as possible.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect one in 33 babies born each year, and are a leading cause of infant death. These conditions could be life-threatening, and can trigger long-term physical, mental and emotional difficulties. In some cases, scientists have identified the causes as a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the counter medicines, toxins that are found in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications associated with pregnancy and birth, or family medical history (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease or PKU). However, in a majority of birth defects cases, the causes are unknown.

Certain birth defects are readily detectable and can be identified at birth or in the first year. Other conditions, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, are not as easily identified and require specialized tests.

Researchers are trying to figure out the cause of birth defects and how they can be avoided. For example smoking or drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chances of having a child with certain Shelbyville Birth Defect lawsuit 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.