What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a expecting parent would like to learn is that their child could have a birth deformity. These birth defects are caused by events that occur during pregnancy and can impact the physical or mental health of your child.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be utilized by a health professional to diagnose certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other birth defects might not be diagnosed until after your child is born or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

Many birth defects are still undiscovered. There are a few factors which can increase the chances of pregnant women having children with birth defect. Some of these include taking certain medications or drugs prior to conception or having a family history of birth defects or having certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women who have an established history of these diseases should consult a genetic counselor about their options prior getting pregnant.

The extent to which a birth defect in a child can cause serious health issues or not will depend on the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. Usually, the more severe the defect and the more serious the problem will be.

Most birth defect law firm defects are caused by genes or the environment during the development of the fetus. The risk of having a birth defect can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history with health issues and genes, talking to an expert in genetic counseling and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth defects alter how a particular part of the body appears or functions. They may be visible like cleft lips or cleft palettes, or invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations are one kind of structural birth defect, while environmental factors, such as an absence of folic acids can lead to neural tube defects that result in the spinal cord or brain not developing properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo in order to discover more about the possibility of birth Defect Law firms defects. One of these is amniocentesis which entails a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure may reveal chromosomal irregularities as well as other health conditions, such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also examine the blood of a fetus or amniotic fluid as well as the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are crucial to finding out the causes of birth defects. They also aid in determining how severe the birth defect is and the effect it may have on a child's their adulthood.

Some birth defects might not be detected at the time of birth or, in a few instances even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable prior to their onset and can be detected by using equipment for diagnosing. In these kinds of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness is well-versed in these technologies and has the appropriate experience to detect these flaws. A lawyer who has years of experience will be able to determine the right specialist for your case.

Employ an attorney for Medical Malpractice

When a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a severe birth injury, it could completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can create life-long physical and emotional issues that often require an entire lifetime of medical attention.

While medical science is able to pinpoint the causes of 30% of birth defects others remain unexplained. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances, such as those in prescription or over the counter medications taken by a mother or children, harmful chemicals in communities and homes or in groundwater that has been contaminated with air may cause birth defects.

Doctors have a duty to assess an expectant mother's current medication and inform her of any possible risks to the foetus. If they fail to meet this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects caused by medications.

Doctors also have the responsibility to examine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical tools, as well as other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses the equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could cause grave consequences for the baby. This is a case of malpractice. When this happens you should seek out a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. In certain states, you only have a single year to file a medical malpractice case, so the earlier you start the process, the better.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the primary cause of infant death. They affect one in 33 babies every year. The conditions can be life-threatening and cause long-term mental, Birth Defect Law Firms emotional and physical issues. In some cases, scientists have identified the causes as a mother's exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, toxins accumulated in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications of pregnancy and delivery, or family medical history (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease, PKU). In about 70% of cases, the reason is unknown.

Certain birth defects are easily evident and birth defect law firms can be found at birth or within the first year. Other conditions, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, are not as easy to identify and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are trying to discover what causes birth defects and how them may be prevented. For instance women who smoke or drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chances of having a child with a defect. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to be pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.