What s The Current Job Market For Birth Defect Attorney Professionals Like

What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing that any expecting parent would like to hear is that their child could have a birth defect lawyer defect. These birth defects are caused by factors that occur during the fetal stage and could affect your child's mental or physical health.

A doctor can detect birth defects during pregnancy by using newborn screening or prenatal tests. However other birth defects can not be identified until after the birth of your child or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What is the cause of your child's deformity?

The cause of many birth defects is not known. There are certain factors that increase the chance of the mother having a child with a birth defect. One of them is using certain medications or taking certain drugs prior to becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects, or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women who have an ancestry of these disorders are advised to consult an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior to becoming pregnant.

If a birth defect in a baby causes serious issues or not depends on which body part is affected and how much of the body part is affected. Usually, the more severe the defect is it, the more serious the issues will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the fetal development. The risk of having birth defects is reduced by knowing about your family's history of health and genetic issues or talking to a genetic counselor, and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural birth imperfections are those that alter how a part of the body appears or performs. They can be visible, like cleft lips and cleft palettes, or invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Genetic disorders that are inherited can be a type of birth defects that are structural. Environmental factors, such as the lack of folic acids, birth defect can cause neural tube defects that result in the development of the spinal cord or brain not functioning properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures pregnant mothers can undergo to discover more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis is a prime example, which is when a healthcare professional collects tiny amounts of fluid from the fetus for testing. This test can reveal chromosomal changes, as well as other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the blood, amniotic liquid and tissues of a fetus to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are crucial in determining the cause of birth defects. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its impact on a child's future.

Certain birth defects may not be discovered at the time of birth or, in rare cases even after becoming an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent before they are present and are usually only detected through equipment for diagnosing. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the technology and have the training necessary to be able identify these issues. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer will be able to identify the appropriate specialist for your particular case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a devastating birth injury, it can completely turn a family's lives upside down. These injuries can cause lasting physical and mental health challenges that require medical attention for the rest of their lives.

Although medical science has been able to identify the causes of 30% of birth defects, many others remain unexplained. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances, like those found in prescription or over the counter medications that mothers take, toxic chemicals in the homes and communities as well as contaminated groundwater and air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors must evaluate the dosage of medication taken by an expectant mother and inform her of any potential risks for the fetus. If they fail to perform this obligation, they can be held liable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety and efficacy of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, as well as other equipment. This could cause serious harm for a baby if a doctor uses the equipment improperly or does not calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. It is important to contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can when this happens. In some states, you're only given one 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 every year and are a major reason for infant death. These conditions can be life-threatening and can trigger permanent physical, cognitive and emotional difficulties. Researchers have in a few instances connected the causes of birth defects to the mother's exposures to prescription and non-prescription drugs as well as environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery or a family medical history or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic illnesses). However, in a majority of all birth defect cases the causes are not clear.

Certain birth defects, including hearing loss or clubfoot, are easy to see and are easily diagnosed either at birth or during the first year of a child's existence. Some birth defects, such as heart defects, intellectual and development disabilities, require special tests to be identified.

Researchers are trying to figure out the root of birth defects, and how they can be prevented. For example smoking, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chance of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women with a family history involving genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.