What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's not something that any expectant parent wants to hear: their child may have a birth defect. These defects are caused by the things that happen during fetal development and can affect your child's physical or mental health.

Testing for prenatal and newborns can be used by a health care provider to identify certain birth defects during pregnancy. However, other birth defects may not be diagnosed until after your child's birth or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What was the reason for your child's deformity?

The causes of numerous birth defects remains unclear. However there are a few things that can increase the chance of having a child born with a defect. One of them is taking certain medications or legal prescription drugs before becoming pregnant, having a family history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have a family history of these conditions are advised to speak with a genetic counsellor 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 severe a birth defect, the greater the severity of the issues.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the fetal growth. You can reduce the chance of a birth deformity by consulting with a genetic counsellor and learning about the health history of your family and meeting with a geneticist.

Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way an element of your body looks or performs. They may range from the visible like cleft lip and cleft palate, to the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations could be a form of birth defect law firm defects that are structural. Environmental factors, like the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal cord and brain not being correct.

Gather More Evidence than You Think

There are several medical procedures pregnant women can undergo to determine a potential birth defect. Amniocentesis is one of them, which involves a medical professional taking a small amount of fetal fluid to test. This procedure may reveal chromosomal irregularities, as well other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also test a fetus' blood as well as amniotic fluid and the tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are essential in determining the cause of birth defects. They also aid in determining how severe a birth defect could be and the consequences it could be having on a child's the years to come.

However certain birth defects may go undetected until a baby is born, or in rare cases, an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent when they first appear and are often only discovered with equipment for diagnosing. In these kinds of situations, it is essential that the medical expert witness involved is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the right education to spot these issues. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able identify the most appropriate specialist for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a serious defect or a serious birth injury can alter the life of families. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and psychological challenges and often require a lifetime of medical care.

Medical science can pinpoint the underlying causes behind about 30% of birth defects, others remain a mystery. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, including those present in prescription or over the counter medication that mothers take, the toxic chemicals at working in some communities and homes, as well as contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required to evaluate the medication taken by the mother-to-be and inform her of any potential dangers to the baby. If they fail to perform this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to assess the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray equipment, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment, or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could result in grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is crucial to contact a medical negligence lawyer immediately in the event of this happening. In some states, you only have one year to file a medical malpractice case, so the sooner you begin the process the better.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect 1 of 33 babies born every year, and are a major reason for infant death. These issues can be life-threatening and can lead to lasting physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. Researchers have in a few instances identified the birth defects' causes to the mother's exposures to prescription and over-the-counter medications and environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery or a family medical history or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). In the majority of cases, the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects, such as hearing loss or clubfoot, are easily identifiable and can be detected either at birth or during the first year of a child's existence. Certain sidney birth defect law firm defects, like heart defects, intellectual and developmental disabilities require tests specific to identify.

Researchers are working to understand what causes birth defects and saju1004.net how them can be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or consume illegal substances while pregnant increase their risk for having a child with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes inherited genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to conceive. They could also use the March of Dimes Family Health Form to collect information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.