What s The Job Market For Birth Defect Attorney Professionals

What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing an expectant parent wants to hear: their child may have a birth defect. These defects could be the result of events that occur during fetal growth and can affect the physical or mental health of your child.

A health professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy using prenatal testing or newborn screening. However, other birth defect attorney defects may not be discovered until after the baby is born or later when they develop symptoms.

What caused your child's deficiency?

Many birth defects remain unknown. There are a few factors that increase the chance of a woman having a child with a birth defect. One of them is taking drugs or certain medications prior to becoming pregnant, having an ancestral history of birth defects or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women with an ancestry of these disorders should speak with an expert in genetic counseling about their options prior to getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child varies on the body part that is affected and the extent to which it is affected. Usually, the more severe the defect is and the more serious the problems will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused either through genetics or environmental factors during fetal growth. You can reduce the chance of a birth deformity by speaking with a genetic counselor, learning about the health history of your family and having a conversation with an expert in genetics.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how an area of your body looks or functions. They can range from visible like cleft lips and cleft palate, up to the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome problems. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a kind of structural birth defect while environmental factors like the absence of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects that cause spinal cord or the brain not developing correctly.

Get More Evidence than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures pregnant women undergo to learn more about possible birth defects. Amniocentesis is one of them, which involves a healthcare provider taking a small amount of fetal fluid to test. This procedure can reveal chromosomal abnormalities as well as other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the amniotic liquid, blood and fetus's tissues for signs of a birth defect. These tests are crucial to finding out the causes of birth defects. They can also determine the severity of birth defect and the impact it has on a child's life.

However certain birth defects may remain unnoticed until a child is born, or in rare instances, when an adult. These issues aren't easily detected before they are present and are sometimes only detected through equipment for diagnosing. For these kinds of situations, it is essential that the medical expert witness is well-versed in these technologies and has the correct education to spot these issues. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able identify the appropriate expert for your case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a severe defect or a severe birth injury can drastically alter the life of families. These injuries can cause life-long physical and emotional issues which often require the need for a lifetime of medical treatment.

Medical science may explain around 30 percent of birth defect lawyer defect cases but the rest are still unknown. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances such as those in prescription or over-the-counter medication taken by mothers, toxic chemicals in the homes and communities, or contaminated groundwater and air may cause birth defects.

Doctors must evaluate the medication taken by an expectant mother and inform her of any possible dangers to the baby. If they fail in their obligation, they can be held liable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment, or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could cause grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is important to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can in the event of this happening. In certain states, you only have one year to file a medical negligence claim, so the earlier you begin the process the more favorable.

Begin by completing the first Step

Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies born every year, and are a major reason for infant death. These issues are life-threatening, and can lead to lasting physical, cognitive and emotional issues. Scientists have, in some instances, linked the birth defects' causes due to exposure of the mother to prescription or over-the-counter medicines as well as environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, delivery and pregnancy or a family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, birth or other genetic diseases). In the majority of cases, the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects are easily detectable and can be identified at birth or in the first year. Others, such as heart problems or developmental and intellectual disabilities aren't as easily identifiable and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are trying to figure out what can cause birth defects and how some of them can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or take illegal drugs when pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to conceive. They may also use the March of Dimes Family Health Form to collect information regarding medical conditions that are prevalent through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.