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What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing that any expecting parent would like to be told is that their child may be born with a deformity. These birth defects are caused by things that occur during the fetal stage and could affect your child's mental or physical health.

A medical professional can identify birth defects in pregnancy through prenatal testing or newborn screening. However other birth defects can not be identified until after the baby is born or later when they develop symptoms.

What is the reason for your child's defect?

The causes of many birth defects remains unknown. However there are a few factors that can increase the likelihood of having a baby with defects. One of them is using certain medications or taking certain drugs prior to conception or having a family history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women who have an history of these conditions should talk to an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior to becoming pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child is contingent on the affected body part and how much is affected. The more serious a birth defect is, the greater the severity of the issues.

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

Structural birth defects alter the way a part of your body appears or functions. They vary from the obvious, such as cleft lip and cleft palate to the invisible, like metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations are one type of structural birth defect, and environmental factors like a lack of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the spinal cord or the brain not developing correctly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are a variety of medical procedures pregnant mothers may undergo to determine the cause of the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis is a prime example, where a doctor collects a small sample of fluid from the fetus to conduct testing. 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 also test the blood of a fetus amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are vital in determining the cause of birth defect. They also help determine the severity of a birth defect and its impact on a child's adult life.

Certain birth defects might not be recognized until after the birth of a child or, in a few instances even as an adult. These issues aren't easily detected before they are present and are often only discovered with equipment for diagnosing. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be conversant with the technologies and have the knowledge and experience required to identify these issues. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you identify the appropriate specialist for your particular case.

Employ an attorney for Medical Malpractice

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

Medical science could explain up to 30 percent of birth defect lawyers defects, but many others remain a mystery. Research has proven that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, including those that are found in prescription and over-the-counter medications that mothers use, the toxic chemicals at the heart of some communities and homes, or contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors are required to assess an expectant mother's current medications and inform her of any dangers to the foetus. If they fail to meet this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment, or fails to correctly calibrate the equipment, it could have grave consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. It is essential to contact a medical negligence lawyer immediately in the event of this happening. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice therefore it's best to begin the process as soon as possible.

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Birth defects affect 1 out of 33 babies born each year, and are a major reason for infant death. The conditions can be life-threatening and result in a variety of long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical problems. In a few instances, scientists have identified the cause to be a mother's exposure to prescription or non-prescription medicines, toxins that are found in the environment, maternal infections, complications of pregnancy and delivery, or family medical history (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease, PKU). However, in approximately 70% of birth defect cases the causes are not clear.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot are easily identifiable and are easily diagnosed at birth defect Attorney or within the first year of a child's life. Other conditions, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, are not as easy to identify and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are trying to determine what causes birth defects and how they can be avoided. Women who smoke, drink or take illegal drugs while pregnant increase their risk for having a child born with certain defects. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult a genetic counselor birth defect attorney prior to trying to conceive. They should also utilize the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.