What Causes a Birth Defect?

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

Screening for newborns and prenatal tests can be used by a doctor to determine the presence of certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other birth defects could not be detected until after your child is born or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What caused your child's deficiency?

Many birth defects remain unknown. However there are a few things that can increase the likelihood of having a child with defects. These include using drugs or taking certain medications prior to 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 conditions are advised to consult a genetic counselor prior to becoming pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child varies on the affected body part and the degree to which it is affected. Typically, the more severe the defect is then the more severe the issues will be.

The majority of hazel crest birth defect attorney defects are caused by genes or environment during fetal development. You can lessen the risk of developing a birth defect by consulting a genetic counselor, learning about the health history of your family, and talking with a geneticist.

Structural birth problems are those that alter how a specific part of the body appears or functions. They can range from visible like cleft lips and cleft palate, up to the invisible, like chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a type of structural birth defect while environmental factors, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that result in the spinal cord or the brain not developing properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures that pregnant mothers may undergo to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis is one of them, which involves a healthcare provider taking a small sample of the fetal fluid to be tested. This test may reveal chromosomal irregularities, as well other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic liquid, blood and tissues of a fetus for signs of a birth defect. These tests are crucial in determining the root of birth defects. They can also help determine how serious a birth defect could be and the impact it will be having on a child's their adulthood.

Some birth defects might not be detected until after a baby's birth or, in some rare cases, even as an adult. This is because the conditions are not detectable until they are present and often can only be detected using diagnostic equipment. In these cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness is familiar with these technologies and has the proper training to be able to detect these flaws. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able to identify the right specialist for your case.

Hire an attorney for Medical Malpractice

If a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a serious birth injury, it can completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and mental challenges that require medical attention for a lifetime.

Although medical science has been able to identify the underlying causes behind about 30 percent of birth defects, many others remain unexplained. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, such as those present in prescription or over the counter medications a mother takes or the toxic chemicals at play in certain communities and homes, or contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors have a duty to evaluate the mother's current medications and inform her about any dangers for the embryo. If they fail to perform this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors also have a responsibility to assess the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment or fails properly calibrate the equipment it could have grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is important to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer immediately should this happen. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice, so it's best to start the process as soon as possible.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects affect one in 33 babies born every year and are a major cause of infant mortality. The condition can be life-threatening and cause a myriad of mental, emotional and physical issues. Scientists have in a few cases identified the causes of Sherman Birth Defect Law Firm defects due to exposure of the mother to prescription and over-the-counter medications, environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and birth, family medical history, or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic illnesses). In around 70% of cases, the cause is not known.

Some birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easily identifiable and can be identified either at birth or during the first year of a child's existence. Certain birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, require specific tests to detect.

Researchers are trying to discover what can cause birth defects and how they can be prevented. For instance smoking or drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chance of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to be pregnant. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data about medical conditions that run in their families and then share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.