What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing that any expecting parent wants to be told is that their child could be born with a deformity. These issues could be the result of the fetal growth and can affect the mental or physical health of your child.

Testing for prenatal and newborns can be used by a health professional to detect certain birth defects during pregnancy. However other birth defects could not be diagnosed until after your child's birth or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What caused your child's deformity?

Many birth defects remain unknown. There are a few factors which can increase the chances of being pregnant with a child with birth defect. One of them is taking certain medications or prescription drugs before getting pregnant or having an ancestral history of birth defects, or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women who have an established history of these diseases should consult an expert in genetic counseling about their options before getting pregnant.

The extent to which a birth defect in a child causes serious issues or not is dependent on which body part is affected and how much of the body part is affected. The more severe a birth defect, the more severe the problems.

Most birth defect law firms defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal development. You can reduce your risk of having a birth defect by consulting with a genetic counsellor as well as learning about the health background of your family, and speaking with the geneticist.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how a part of your body appears or functions. They vary from the obvious like cleft lips and cleft palate to the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome problems. Inherited genetic conditions can be a type of birth defects with structural causes. Environmental causes, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that result in the development of the spinal cord and brain not functioning properly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother is able to undergo in order to find out more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis can be one of them, which is when a healthcare professional collects small amounts of fluid from the fetus for examination. This procedure could reveal chromosomal anomalies, as well other health conditions, such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic liquid, blood and tissues of a fetus for signs of a birth defect. These tests are crucial to determining the causes of birth defects. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its impact on a child's future.

Certain birth defects may not be discovered until after the birth of a child or, in rare instances even after becoming an adult. This is because the conditions are not detectable until they are present, and can sometimes only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these situations, it is essential that the medical expert witness involved is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the proper experience to identify such defects. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able identify the appropriate expert for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When a child is born with a serious birth defect lawsuits defect or suffers from a severe birth injury, it could completely turn a family's lives upside down. These injuries can lead to lasting physical and mental health challenges that require medical attention for a lifetime.

Medical science may explain around 30% of birth defect cases, but many others remain a mystery. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances, such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications that mothers take, toxic chemicals in the homes and communities, or contaminated groundwater and air may cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to review the pregnant mother's current medications and advise her of any possible risks to the baby. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, and other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses the equipment or fails correctly calibrate the equipment, it could result in serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is important to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can if this happens. In some states you have only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice, so it's best to begin the process as soon as possible.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect one of 33 babies born each year and are the most common cause of infant mortality. The conditions are life-threatening and cause a myriad of mental, emotional and physical challenges. In a few instances, scientists have connected the causes to mother's exposure to prescription or over-the counter medicines, toxins that are found in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications associated with pregnancy and birth or medical history of the family (like genetic illnesses such as sickle cell disease or PKU). In around 70% of cases, the cause is unknown.

Some birth defects are easily detectable and can be identified at birth or in the first year of life. Others, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities are not as easily identifiable and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how some of them may be prevented. For instance, women who smoke or drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chances of having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of inherited genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that run in their families and discuss it with their doctor or genetic counselor.