What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing that any expecting parent wants to be told is that their child could have a birth defect. These defects can be caused by things that happen during growing up and could affect the mental or physical health of your child.

A medical professional is able to detect some birth defects in pregnancy through newborn screening or prenatal tests. Other birth defects could only be detected following your child’s birth or when symptoms appear.

What was the reason for your child’s deformity?

Many birth defects remain undiscovered. However there are a few factors that increase the likelihood of having a baby born with a defect. One of them is taking drugs or certain medications prior to conception or having an ancestral history of birth defects or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women with an ancestral history of these diseases are advised to speak with a genetic counsellor before getting pregnant.

If a birth defect in a baby can cause serious health issues or not depends on the body part that is affected and birth defect Law firms how much of the body part affected. The more severe the defect is then the more severe the problem will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal development. You can lower the risk of developing a birth defect by consulting with a genetic counsellor and learning about the health background of your family, and having a conversation with geneticists.

Structural birth imperfections are those that alter the way a part of your body appears or functions. They can be obvious, such as cleft lips and Cleft palettes, or they can be invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations can be a type of birth defects with structural causes. Environmental factors, such as an absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord or brain not functioning properly.

Get More Evidence than You Think

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother may undergo to find out more about the possibility of birth defects. One example is amniocentesis, which entails a doctor taking a small sample of the fetal fluid to be tested. This test may reveal chromosomal mutations in addition to other health conditions such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test the blood of a fetus as well as amniotic fluid and the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are vital in determining the cause of a birth defect. They can also help determine how serious the birth defect is and the effect it may have on a child’s their adult life.

However, some birth defects can go undetected until a baby is born or, in rare cases, as an adult. This is due to the fact that these conditions are not detectable until they are present and are often identified with the use of diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be conversant with the technologies and have the knowledge and experience required to be able to spot these issues. A lawyer who has years of experience will be able to determine the most appropriate specialist for your case.

Find a Medical Malpractice Attorney

When a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers from a severe birth Defect law firms injury, it can completely turn the world of a family upside down. These injuries can cause long-lasting physical and psychological challenges that often require a lifetime of medical care.

Medical science can pinpoint the causes of 30 percent of birth defects others remain unexplained. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances such as those in prescription or over the counter medication taken by mothers, toxic chemicals in communities and homes as well as contaminated groundwater and air can cause birth defects.

Doctors must evaluate the medication taken by the expecting mother and inform her of any possible dangers for the foetus. If they fail to perform this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, and other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using the equipment or fails correctly calibrate the equipment, it could cause serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is crucial to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can if this happens. In some states, you’re allowed only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice and it’s recommended to begin the process as soon as possible.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the main cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These conditions can be life-threatening and result in a variety of long-term mental, emotional and physical challenges. Scientists have, in some instances, connected the causes of birth defect lawsuits defects in mothers’ exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines and environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, delivery and pregnancy and family medical history or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic diseases). However, in a majority of all birth defect lawsuit defect cases the cause is not known.

Certain birth defects are easily visible and can be detected at birth or in the first year of life. Others, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities are not as easy to identify and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are trying to figure out the cause of birth defects and how they can be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs while pregnant increase their risk for having a child born with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to be pregnant. They may also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect information about medical conditions that can be traced through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.