"Ask Me Anything " 10 Responses To Your Questions About Birth Defect Attorney

What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing that an expectant parent wants to hear: their child may be born with a defect. These birth defects are caused by things that occur during the development of the fetus and can affect your child's physical or mental health.

A doctor is able to detect some birth defects during pregnancy with prenatal tests or newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be discovered until after your child is born or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What is the reason for your child's defect?

The root of many birth defects remains unknown. However there are some things that increase the risk of having a baby with a defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a family member who has birth defects or certain medical conditions like rheumatic heart disease. Women who have a family history of these disorders are advised to speak with a genetic counselor prior to getting pregnant.

If a birth defect in a baby causes serious problems or not is dependent on the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part affected. Usually, the more severe the defect then the more severe the issues will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the development of the fetus. The risk of having birth defects is reduced by knowing about your family's history of health and genetic issues and speaking with a genetic counselor and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth defects are those that change how a particular part of the body appears or performs. They can range from the visible such as cleft lips and cleft palate to the invisibly, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic disorders that are inherited could be a form of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, for instance, a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that result in brain or spinal cord development not functioning properly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo in order to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis is a prime example, where a doctor birth Defects collects an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for analysis. This test can reveal chromosomal abnormalities and other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also examine the blood of a fetus as well as amniotic fluid and the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are vital in finding out the cause of birth defects. They can also determine the severity of a birth defect and its effect on the adult life of a child.

However, some birth defects can go undetected until a baby is born, or in rare instances, when an adult. These conditions are not detectable when they occur and are usually only detected with diagnostic equipment. In these cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness is familiar with these techniques and has the appropriate experience to detect these flaws. A lawyer who has experience should be able identify the appropriate expert for your case.

Hire an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

When a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers from a severe birth injury, it could completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can lead to lasting physical and mental health challenges and require medical treatment for the rest of their lives.

While medical science can identify the underlying causes behind about 30 percent of birth defects others remain unexplained. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, such as those present in prescription or over the counter medication that mothers take, the toxic chemicals at the heart of some communities and homes, as well as contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors have a duty to assess an expectant mother's current medications, and advise her of any potential dangers to the fetus. When they fail in this obligation, they can be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray equipment, surgical instruments and other equipment. It could be a serious risk for a child should a doctor use the equipment improperly or does not calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. If this occurs it is important to speak with a medical malpractice attorney as quickly as you can. In some states, you are only allowed a single year to file a medical negligence case, so the sooner you begin the process the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect one in 33 babies born each year and are a leading cause of infant death. These conditions can be life-threatening and can lead to permanent physical, cognitive and emotional problems. Scientists have in a few cases connected the causes of birth defects due to exposure of the mother to prescription and non-prescription drugs, environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during delivery and pregnancy or a family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). But in about 70% of birth defects cases, the causes are unknown.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to detect and can be identified at birth or within the first year of a child's existence. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, aren't as easily identified and require special tests.

Researchers are working to understand the causes of birth defects and how these can be avoided. For instance women who smoke or drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chances of having a child with certain birth defects. Women with a family history involving inherited genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to be pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health Form to collect information on medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.