What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's not something that any expecting parent would like to hear: their child may have a birth defect. These defects are caused by factors that occur during the fetal stage and could affect your child's mental or physical health.

A health professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy by using newborn screening or prenatal tests. However, other birth defects may not be discovered until after the birth of your child or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What was the cause of your child's error?

Many birth defects remain unknown. However, there are a few factors that can increase the risk of having a child born with a defect. Some of these include using certain medications or taking certain drugs prior to becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have an established history of these diseases should consult a genetic counselor about their options before getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child depends on the affected body part and the degree to which it is affected. The more serious a birth defect is, the more serious the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal growth. The chance of developing a birth defect can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history with genes and health issues by speaking to an expert in genetic counseling and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how an area of your body appears or performs. They can range from visible like cleft lips and cleft palate to the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or birth defect Law firms chromosome problems. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations are one type of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors, such as a lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects that result in the brain or spinal cord not developing properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures that pregnant mothers can undergo to determine the cause of the possibility of birth defects. One example is amniocentesis, which involves a medical professional taking a small sample of fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure may reveal chromosomal irregularities and other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test a fetus' blood, amniotic fluid and even the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are crucial in determining the causes of birth defects. They can also assist in determining how serious the birth defect could be and the effect it may have on a child's their adult life.

However, some birth defects can be missed until a baby is born or, in rare instances, when an adult. These issues aren't easily detected prior to their onset and are usually only detected with diagnostic equipment. In these cases, the medical expert witness must be familiar with the technology and have the necessary training to identify these issues. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer can help you identify the appropriate specialist for your particular case.

Hire 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 lasting physical and mental health challenges needing medical attention for the rest of his life.

Although medical science has been able to identify the root causes of around 30 percent of birth defects others remain unexplained. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, like those found in prescription or over-the-counter medicines that mothers are prescribed or the toxic chemicals at working in some communities and in homes, or the contaminating groundwater and air.

Doctors are required to review the pregnant mother's current medications and inform her of any possible dangers to the embryo. If they fail to perform this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors also have the responsibility to evaluate the safety of any procedure or device they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a baby when a doctor uses the equipment in a negligent manner or does not calibrate it properly. This is a case of malpractice. It is essential to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer immediately should this happen. In certain states, you have only one year to file a claim for medical malpractice, so it's best to start the process as soon as you can.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies born each year, and are a leading cause of infant mortality. These conditions are life-threatening and lead to many long term cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges. In a few instances, scientists have connected the causes to mother's exposure to prescription or non-prescription drugs, toxins in the environment and maternal infections, the complications of pregnancy and birth defect law firms birth, or medical history of the family (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease or PKU). In the majority of cases, the reason is not known.

Certain birth defects are easily visible and can be detected at birth or within the first year of life. Others, like heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities aren't as easily identifiable and require special tests.

Researchers are trying to figure out what can cause birth defects and how some of these can be avoided. Women who smoke, drink or use illegal drugs while pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child born with certain defects. Women who have a family history of inherited genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to have a baby. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information regarding medical conditions that run in their families and share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.