What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing that any expecting parent would like to be told is that their child might have a birth deformity. These defects are caused by the things that happen during the development of the fetus and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be used by a health care provider to diagnose certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects could only be detected following your child's birth or when symptoms start to show.

What is the reason for your child's defect?

The causes of many summit birth defect lawyer defects is not known. However there are several factors that can increase the chance of having a child born with a defect. These include taking prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a relative with a birth defect or having certain medical conditions like rheumatic heart disease. Women with a history of these disorders should speak with an expert in genetic counseling about their options prior getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a baby is dependent on the body part that is affected and the extent to which it is affected. The more severe the defect is, the more severe the problem will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the fetal development. You can reduce the chance of a birth defect speaking with a genetic counselor or a health professional, gaining knowledge about the background of your family, and having a conversation with geneticists.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how the body looks or functions. They may be visible like cleft lips or cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Genetically-inherited conditions may be a sign of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that result in the development of the spinal or brain not working as intended.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think

There are a number of medical procedures pregnant women can undergo to discover more about the possibility of a birth defect. One of them is amniocentesis which entails a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure may reveal chromosomal irregularities, as well other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also test the blood of a fetus or amniotic fluid as well as the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are crucial in diagnosing the root of birth defects. They also help determine the degree of a birth defect and the impact it has on the adult life of a child.

However certain north palm beach birth defect law firm defects may go undetected until a baby is born, or in rare instances, when an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent when they occur and are sometimes only detected through diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the technologies and have the education required to identify the defects. A lawyer who has experience should be able identify the appropriate expert for your case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers from a severe birth injury, it can completely turn the world of a family upside down. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and mental challenges, requiring medical care for the rest of his life.

Medical science could explain up to 30 percent of birth defects however, many other cases are still unsolved. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, like those present in prescription or over the counter medication that mothers take as well as the toxic chemicals that work in some communities and in homes, or the contaminating groundwater and air.

Doctors have a duty to examine a pregnant mother's current medication and inform her of any potential risks for the foetus. If they fail to meet this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to assess the safety and efficacy of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could result in serious consequences for a baby when a doctor uses the equipment negligently or does not calibrate it correctly. This would be considered to be malpractice. It is essential to contact a medical negligence lawyer as soon as you can should this happen. In certain states, you have only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice therefore it's best to start the process as soon as possible.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect 1 out of 33 babies born every year, and are the most common cause of infant mortality. These issues can be life-threatening, and can lead to long-term physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. Scientists have, in some instances, identified the birth defects' causes due to exposure of the mother to prescription and over-the-counter drugs and environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, pregnancy and birth or a family medical history or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic illnesses). However, in a majority of birth defects cases the cause is unknown.

Some birth defects are easily visible and can be detected at birth or in the first year of life. Some birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and development disabilities, require tests specific to detect.

Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how they can be avoided. For example women who smoke or drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chance of having a baby with a defect. Women with a family history involving genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and discuss it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.