What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent would like to learn is that their child could have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused things that happen during fetal development and can affect your child's physical or mental health.

Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be utilized by a doctor to identify certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects may only be identified after the birth of your child or if symptoms start to show.

What is the cause of your child's deformity?

The root of the majority of birth defect Law Firms defects is still unknown. However there are a few factors that increase the risk of having a baby born with defects. One of them is taking drugs or certain medications prior to becoming pregnant, having a family history of birth defects, or having certain medical conditions like rheumatic disease. Women with an ancestral history of these conditions are advised to consult an expert on genetics prior to becoming pregnant.

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

Most birth defects are caused either by genes or environment during fetal growth. The chance of developing birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history of health issues and genes and speaking with an expert in genetic counseling and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how an element of your body looks or performs. They may be visible, such as cleft lips and Cleft palettes, or they can be invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations may be a sign of birth defects that are structural. Environmental causes, such as the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal cord or brain not being correct.

Get More Evidence than You Think

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo to find out more about the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis can be one of them, where a doctor collects an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for testing. This procedure could reveal chromosomal variations as well as other health conditions such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor can test the amniotic liquid, blood and the tissues of a fetus to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are crucial to determining the cause of birth defects. They also aid in determining how severe a birth defect will be and the effect it may be having on a child's their adult life.

However certain birth defects could remain unnoticed until a child is born or, in rare instances, even as an adult. These problems are not easily identified until they have been identified, and can sometimes only be detected using diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness involved is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the appropriate training to be able to detect these flaws. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you identify the right expert for your case.

Hire an attorney for Medical Malpractice

A child born with a severe defect or a severe birth injury can drastically alter the life of a family. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and psychological challenges, often requiring the need for a lifetime of medical treatment.

Medical science can explain about 30% of birth defect attorney defect cases, but many others are still unknown. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances such as those in prescription or over-the-counter medication taken by mothers or in toxic chemicals found in the community and in homes or in groundwater that has been contaminated with air may cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to evaluate the mother's current medications and advise her of any dangers for the baby. If they fail to meet this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray equipment, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment or fails properly calibrate the equipment, it could cause serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is essential to contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can in the event of this happening. In some states, you're only given a single year to file a medical negligence case, so the faster you begin the process, the better.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These issues are life-threatening, and can result in permanent physical, cognitive and emotional difficulties. Researchers have in a few instances identified the causes of birth defects due to exposure of the mother to prescription or over-the-counter medicines as well as 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 other genetic diseases). In the majority of cases, the reason is unknown.

Some birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easily identifiable and can be diagnosed from birth or within the first year of a child's existence. Others, such as heart problems or developmental and intellectual disabilities aren't as obvious and require special tests.

Researchers are trying to figure out the cause of birth defects and how they can be prevented. For example smoking or drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chance of having a baby with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to conceive. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that run in their families and share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.