What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's not something that any expecting parent would like to hear: their child could be born with a birth defect. These defects can be caused by the pregnancy and can impact the physical or mental health of your child.

A doctor can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy by using the prenatal test or newborn screening. Other birth defects may be discovered only after the birth of your child, or after symptoms start to show.

What caused your child's deficiency?

The cause of many lyndon birth defect attorney defects is not known. However there are several things that can increase the chance of having a baby born with a defect. One of them is using certain medications or taking certain drugs before becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women with an history of these conditions are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling about their options prior to becoming pregnant.

The degree to which a birth defect can cause serious health issues or not is dependent on the body part that is affected and how much of the body part is affected. Typically, the more severe the defect and the more serious the problems will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or environment during fetal growth. The chance of developing a birth defect can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history of health issues and genes, talking to an expert in genetic counseling and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how the body appears or functions. They can range from visible like cleft lip and cleft palate to the invisibly, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations are one kind of structural birth defect, while environmental factors such as an absence of folic acids can lead to neural tube defects that can result in the spinal cord or the brain not developing correctly.

Find More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are several medical procedures a pregnant woman can undergo to discover more about potential birth defects. Amniocentesis is one of them, which entails a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure may reveal chromosomal mutations and other health conditions 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 signs of birth defect. These tests are essential in determining the root of birth defects. They also aid in determining the severity of the birth defect could be and the consequences it could be having on a child's the years to come.

Some birth defects might not be discovered until after the birth of a baby or, in a few instances, even as an adult. These issues are not readily apparent until they are present, and are often recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the technologies and have the knowledge and experience required to be able identify these issues. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer can help you identify the most suitable expert for your particular case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a severe defect or a serious monroeville Birth defect attorney injury could completely alter the life of families. These injuries can cause permanent physical and mental problems that require medical attention for the rest of his life.

While medical science is able to pinpoint the underlying causes behind about 30 percent of birth defects, others remain unsolved. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause royal oak birth defect lawsuit defects, such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medicines that mothers are prescribed or the toxic chemicals at the heart of some communities and homes, as well as contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors are required to examine a pregnant mother's current medications and advise her of any possible dangers to the foetus. If they fail to fulfill this obligation, they could be held liable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, as well as other equipment. It could be a serious risk for a child should a doctor use the equipment negligently or does not calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. If this happens you should contact a medical negligence lawyer as soon as you can. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a claim for medical malpractice and it's recommended to begin the process as soon as you can.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the most common cause of infant death. They affect one in 33 babies each year. The condition could be life-threatening and cause a myriad of mental, emotional and physical difficulties. Scientists have in a few cases identified the birth defects' causes due to exposure of the mother to prescription and over-the-counter medications or environmental toxins, as well as maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery or a family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, or other genetic illnesses). However, in approximately 70% of all birth defect cases, the causes are unknown.

Some birth defects are easily evident and can be found when a baby is born or in the first year. Other conditions, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, are not as obvious and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are working to understand what can cause birth defects and how they can be prevented. For example women who smoke or drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chances of having a child with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes inherited genetic disorders may want to speak with a genetic counselor before trying to be pregnant. They could also use the March of Dimes Family Health Form to collect information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.