What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent wants to hear is that their child could have a birth deformity. These problems could be the result of the the fetal development and can affect the physical or mental health of your child.

Testing for prenatal and newborns can be utilized by a health care provider to identify certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other lockhart birth defect lawsuit defects could not be discovered until after the birth of your child or when they start to develop symptoms.

What is the cause of your child's deformity?

The cause of many birth defects remains unknown. However there are some things that increase a woman's risk of having a baby with a defect. One of them is using certain medications or taking certain drugs before becoming pregnant, having a family history of beaver dam birth defect attorney defects or having certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women who have a family background of these disorders are advised to speak with a genetic counsellor before becoming pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child depends on the body part affected and how severe the damage. Usually, the more severe the defect is it, the more serious the problem will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the fetal growth. You can lessen the risk of a birth deformity by consulting with a genetic counsellor and learning about the health history of your family, and meeting with an expert in genetics.

Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way the body looks or functions. They can be visible, like cleft lips and cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, [empty] like chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Inherited genetic conditions could be a form of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, like the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects, which result in brain or spinal cord development not working as intended.

Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother is able to undergo in order to determine the cause of the possibility of birth defects. One of these is amniocentesis that involves a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid for testing. This test may reveal chromosomal mutations in addition to other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the amniotic liquid, blood and tissues of a fetus to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are crucial to finding out the causes of birth defects. They can also determine the severity of birth defect and the impact it has on the adult life of a child.

However certain birth defects may be missed until a baby is born, or in rare cases, as an adult. These conditions are not detectable when they occur and are usually only detected with diagnostic equipment. For these types of situations, it is essential that the medical expert witness involved is well-versed in these technologies and has the proper knowledge to spot these issues. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer can help you identify the right expert for your case.

Find an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

If a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a devastating birth injury, it can completely turn the world of a family upside down. These injuries can cause lasting physical and mental health challenges that require medical attention for a lifetime.

Medical science can pinpoint the causes of 30% of birth defects others remain a mystery. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances, such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medicines taken by mothers or children, harmful chemicals in the community and in homes, or contaminated groundwater and air may cause birth defects.

Doctors must evaluate the dosage of medication taken by a pregnant mother and inform her of any potential dangers for the fetus. If they fail in their duty, they can be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and efficacy of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could result in serious consequences for a child if a doctor uses the equipment in error or does not calibrate it properly. This would be considered medical malpractice. If this occurs, it's important to seek out a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can. In some states you have only one year to file a claim for medical malpractice therefore it's best to start 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 every year. The condition can be life-threatening and lead to many long term mental, emotional and physical problems. In some instances, researchers have connected the causes to mother's exposure to prescription or over-the counter medications, toxins accumulated in the environment and maternal infections, the complications of pregnancy and birth, or family medical history (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease, PKU). In about 70% of cases, the reason is unknown.

Certain Fremont Birth Defect Lawyer defects are easily detectable and can be identified when a baby is born or in the first year. Some birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities require tests specific to identify.

Researchers are trying to discover the root of birth defects, and how they can be avoided. For example smoking or drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chance of having a baby with a defect. Women who have an inherited family history of genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and then share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.