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What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent would like to hear is that their child might have a birth deformity. These defects are caused by factors that occur in the fetal period and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

A doctor can identify birth defects in pregnancy through the prenatal test or newborn screening. Other birth defects may only be detected following the birth of your child or when symptoms are evident.

What was the cause of your child's error?

Many birth defects remain undiscovered. There are certain factors which can increase the chances of the mother having a child with birth defect. This includes using medications or taking certain medications before the birth, having a relative with an abnormal birth or certain medical conditions like rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestral history of these disorders are advised to consult a genetic counselor prior to getting pregnant.

Whether a child's birth defect causes serious issues or not depends on the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. The more severe the Birth Defect Attorney defect the more severe the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal development. The chance of developing birth defects can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history of health issues and genes, talking to a genetic counselor, and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how the body appears or performs. They can range from visible like cleft lips and cleft palate, to the invisible, like metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Genetic disorders that are inherited may be a sign of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, such as the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that lead to brain or spinal cord development not working as intended.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that pregnant women undergo to find out more about possible birth defects. Amniocentesis can be one of them, where a healthcare provider takes tiny amounts of fluid from the fetus for analysis. This procedure can reveal chromosomal abnormalities, as well other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also test the blood of a fetus as well as amniotic fluid and the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are vital in finding out the reason for birth defect. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its impact on a child's life.

However certain birth defects could be missed until a baby is born, or in rare cases, as an adult. This is because these conditions are not detectable until they become apparent, and often can only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness involved is well-versed in these technologies and has the right knowledge to spot these issues. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer can help you identify the most suitable expert for your case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a serious birth injury, it can completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can cause life-long physical and emotional problems which often require an entire lifetime of medical attention.

Medical science can explain about 30 percent of birth defect lawsuits defect cases However, the majority of cases remain unknown. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances such as those found in prescription or over the counter medicines taken by mothers, Birth Defect Attorney toxic chemicals in homes and communities or groundwater that is contaminated air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to evaluate the medication taken by the expecting mother and inform her of any potential risks to the foetus. If they fail in their duty, they can be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors also have the responsibility to determine the safety of any procedure or device they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using this equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could result in serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. In the event of this you should speak with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you can. In certain states, you have only one year to file a medical malpractice claim, so the earlier you begin the process, the better.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the primary cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These conditions can be life-threatening and can lead to many long term cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges. In some instances, scientists have connected the causes to mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, toxins in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications of pregnancy and delivery or family medical history (like genetic illnesses, sickle cell disease or PKU). In about 70% of cases, the cause is unknown.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to see and can be identified at birth or in the first year of a child's existence. Other conditions, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities aren't as obvious and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are trying to determine the cause of birth defects and how they can be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or use illegal drugs while pregnant are more likely to having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult with a genetic counselor prior to trying to be pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information about medical conditions that can be found in their families and discuss it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.