What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a expecting parent wants to learn is that their child could have a birth deformity. These defects are caused by the the fetal development and can affect the mental or physical health of your child.

A health professional can detect birth defects in pregnancy through the prenatal test or newborn screening. Other birth defects can be discovered only after your child's birth or when symptoms start to show.

What caused your child's deformity?

The root of many selinsgrove birth defect Lawyer defects remains unknown. There are a few factors that increase the chance of a woman having a child with a birth defect. Some of these include taking certain medications or prescription drugs before getting pregnant, having a family history of birth defects, or having medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women with an history of these conditions should talk to an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior to becoming pregnant.

The degree of terre haute birth defect law firm defect in a child depends on the affected body part and the degree to which it is affected. The more severe the birth defect, the greater the severity of the problems.

Most birth defects are caused either through genetics or environmental factors during fetal development. You can lower the risk of a birth defect talking to a genetic counsellor or a health professional, gaining knowledge about the history of your family, and speaking with geneticists.

Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way an element of your body looks or functions. They may be visible such as cleft lips and Cleft palettes, but also invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Inherited genetic conditions can be a type of birth defects that are structural. 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 working as intended.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think

There are a number of medical procedures a pregnant woman can undergo to learn more about possible birth defects. Amniocentesis, for instance, is where a doctor collects a small sample of fluid from the fetus to conduct examination. This test may reveal chromosomal mutations as well as other health conditions such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor can examine the amniotic liquid, blood and the tissues of a fetus for indications of a midway birth defect lawyer defect. These tests are vital in diagnosing the root of a birth defect. They can also determine the severity of a birth defect and its effect on the adult life of a child.

Certain birth defects may not be discovered until after the birth of a baby or, in rare cases, even as an adult. This is due to the fact that these issues are not readily apparent until they are present and often can only be detected using diagnostic equipment. For these types of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness in question is familiar with these technologies and has the appropriate training to be able to spot these issues. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer should be able to identify the appropriate specialist for your case.

Employ an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

A child born with a serious defect or a serious birth injury can drastically alter the life of a family. These injuries can cause permanent physical and mental problems that require medical attention for a lifetime.

Medical science may explain around 30% of birth defect cases however, many other cases are still unknown. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, like those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medicines that mothers are prescribed and the harmful chemicals that work in some communities and homes, or contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors have a duty to evaluate the mother's current medications and advise her about any dangers to the foetus. If they fail to meet this duty, they may be held responsible 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 machines, surgical tools, and any other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using this equipment or fails to correctly calibrate the equipment, it could lead to serious consequences for the baby. This is considered to be malpractice. It is crucial to contact a medical malpractice lawyer immediately should this happen. In certain states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical negligence case, so the earlier you begin the process, the better.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect 1 out of 33 babies born each year and are the most common cause of infant mortality. The condition can be life-threatening and can cause long-term mental, emotional and physical challenges. Scientists have, in some instances, linked the birth defects' causes due to exposure of the mother to prescription and over-the-counter drugs, environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, the birth and pregnancy and medical history of the family, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). However, in the majority of birth defects cases the cause is not known.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or a clubfoot are easily identifiable and can be detected from birth or within the first year of a child's life. Other conditions, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities are not as easily identified and require specialized tests.

Researchers are trying to determine the root of birth defects, and how they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or use illegal drugs while pregnant are at greater risk of having a child born with certain defects. Women who have an inherited family history of genetic disorders should think about seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that run in their families and then share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.