4 Dirty Little Details About The Birth Defect Attorney Industry

What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing that any expecting parent would like to be told is that their child may have a birth defect. These problems are caused by things that occur during fetal development and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

Screening for newborns and prenatal tests can be utilized by a doctor to determine the presence of certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects could only be detected after the birth of your child, or after symptoms begin to appear.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

The reason for many birth defects is not known. There are a few factors that could increase the likelihood of a woman having a child with birth defect. These include using drugs or taking certain medications before pregnancy, a history of having a relative with a birth defect or having certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women who have an ancestral history of these disorders are advised to speak with an expert on genetics prior to becoming pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child depends on the body part affected and the extent to which it is affected. The more severe the birth defect, the more severe the problems.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genes or environment during fetal growth. The chance of developing birth defects can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history with genes and health issues and speaking with an expert in genetic counseling and following the guidelines for prenatal care.

Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way an area of your body appears or functions. They may range from the visible such as cleft lips and cleft palate, but also the invisibly, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorder. Inherited genetic conditions are one kind of structural birth defect, while environmental factors, such as the absence of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which cause the brain or spinal cord not developing correctly.

Find More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to determine the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis is one of them, which involves a medical professional taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. This test may reveal chromosomal mutations as well as other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor may also test a fetus' blood amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are essential in finding out the cause of birth defect. They also help determine the severity of birth defect and its impact on a child's life.

Certain birth defects may not be recognized until after the birth of a baby or, in rare instances even after becoming an adult. These problems aren't visible before they are present and are often only discovered through diagnostic equipment. For these kinds of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness in question is well-versed in these technologies and has the right knowledge to identify such defects. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able identify the best expert for your case.

Employ an attorney for Medical Malpractice

A child born with a severe defect or a severe birth injury can completely change the life of the family. These injuries can cause life-long physical and psychological challenges, often requiring an entire lifetime of medical attention.

Medical science can pinpoint the causes of about 30 percent of birth defects others remain unsolved. Research has proven that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, like those found in prescription or over-the-counter medication that mothers take and the harmful chemicals that working in some communities and homes, or in contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the medication used by a pregnant mother and inform her of any possible risks to the baby. If they fail to perform this duty, they may 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 x-ray equipment, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses this equipment or fails to correctly calibrate the equipment, it could have serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. If this happens it is important to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can. In some states you have only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice and it's recommended to begin the process as soon as you can.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the primary reason for infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These issues are life-threatening, and can trigger lasting physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. Scientists have, in some instances, identified the birth defects' causes to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines and environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, pregnancy and birth and family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic illnesses). However, Birth Defect Law Firms in approximately 70% of birth defects cases, the causes are unknown.

Certain birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easy to detect and are easily diagnosed either at birth or during the first year of a child's life. Other conditions, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities aren't as easily identified and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are trying to discover the causes of birth defect law Firms defects and how some of they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or take illegal drugs when pregnant increase their risk for having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of inherited genetic disorders should consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. They should also use the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information about medical conditions that can be found in their families and then share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.