4 Dirty Little Secrets About The Birth Defect Attorney Industry

What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a expecting parent wants to learn is that their child might be born with a deformity. These birth defects are caused by factors that occur during fetal development and can affect your child's physical or mental health.

A health care provider can detect birth defects in pregnancy through prenatal tests or birth Defects newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be discovered until after the baby is born or when they start to develop symptoms.

What was the reason for your child's deformity?

The cause of many birth defects remains unknown. However there are some factors that increase the likelihood of having a baby with a defect. These include using drugs or taking certain medications prior to the birth, having a family member who has birth defects or certain medical conditions, birth defects for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women who have an history of these conditions are advised to consult an expert on genetic counseling about their options before getting pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a child is contingent on the affected body part and the extent to which it is affected. The more severe a birth defect, the more severe the issues.

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

Structural birth imperfections are those that alter how a specific part of the body appears or works. They may be visible, such as cleft lips and Cleft palettes, or they can be invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Inherited genetic conditions can result in structural birth defects. Environmental causes, such as an absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord or brain not functioning as it should.

Get More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are a variety of medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. One example is amniocentesis, which entails a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid to test. This procedure can reveal chromosomal defects, as well other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test the blood of a fetus, amniotic fluid and even the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are crucial in determining the cause of birth defects. They can also determine the extent of the birth defect and its effect on a child's future.

However, some birth defect lawyer defects can be missed until a baby is born, or in rare cases, an adult. This is due to the fact that these conditions are not detectable until they become apparent, and can sometimes only be detected using diagnostic equipment. For these types of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness in question is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the right experience to identify such defects. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you identify the most suitable expert for your case.

Hire an attorney for Medical Malpractice

A child born with a severe defect or a severe birth injury can alter the life of a family. These injuries can create life-long physical and psychological challenges and often require an entire lifetime of medical attention.

While medical science can identify the root causes of around 30 percent of birth defects others remain unsolved. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, such as those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medications a mother takes, the toxic chemicals at the heart of some communities and homes, or contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the medications taken by a pregnant mother and inform her of any possible dangers for the fetus. If they fail in their obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors also have a duty to assess the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. This could result in serious consequences for a newborn baby should a doctor use the equipment in a negligent manner or does not calibrate it properly. This is considered medical malpractice. When this happens, it's important to speak with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you can. In some states you have only one year to file a case for medical malpractice therefore it's best to start the process as soon as possible.

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Birth defects affect 1 out of 33 newborns every year and are a leading cause of infant death. The condition can be life-threatening and can cause long-term physical, emotional and cognitive problems. Researchers have in a few instances identified the causes of birth defects to the mother's exposures to prescription and over-the-counter drugs or environmental toxins, as well as maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and birth, family medical history, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). However, in approximately 70% of birth defects cases the causes are not clear.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot, are easy to spot and can be identified from birth or within the first year of a child's life. Other birth defects, 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 figure out the causes of birth defects and how some of them may be prevented. For example women who smoke or drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chance of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women with a family history of inherited genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. They may also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data on medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.