What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing that an expecting parent would like to hear: their child may be born with a defect. These defects can be caused by circumstances that occur during fetal growth and can affect the physical or mental health of your child.

A doctor can detect birth defects during pregnancy with the prenatal test or newborn screening. However other birth defects could not be detected until after the baby is born or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What was the reason for your child's deformity?

The cause of many birth defect attorneys defects is not known. There are several factors that can increase the risk of a woman having a child with birth defect. These include taking prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to the birth, having a family member with an abnormal birth or certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women who have an ancestry of these disorders should consult an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior to getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth Defect attorney defect in a child depends on the body part affected and how much is affected. The more severe the defect then the more severe the problems will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused either by genes or environment during fetal growth. The chance of developing a birth defect can be reduced by learning about your family's history with health issues and genes by speaking to a genetic counselor, and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural birth defects are those that change the way a part of your body looks or works. They can be visible, such as cleft lips and cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations are one type of structural birth defect while environmental factors such as the absence of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects that cause the spinal cord and brain not developing correctly.

Find More Evidence than You Think

There are many medical procedures pregnant mothers may undergo to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis is one of them, which entails a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid for testing. This test could reveal chromosomal anomalies as well as other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the amniotic fluid, blood and tissues of a fetus to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are essential in determining the root of birth defects. They also help determine the degree of a birth defect and its impact on a child's future.

Certain birth defects may not be identified until after the birth of a child or, in a few instances even after becoming an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent when they first appear and can be detected with diagnostic equipment. In these cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness involved is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the proper education to spot these issues. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able to identify the right specialist for your case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a severe defect or birth injury could completely alter the life of a family. These injuries can cause long-lasting physical and emotional issues and often require an entire lifetime of medical attention.

Medical science could explain up to 30 percent of birth defect cases but the rest remain unsolved. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances, like those in prescription or over-the-counter medications that mothers take and toxic chemicals found in the homes and communities or in groundwater that has been contaminated with air may cause birth defects.

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

Doctors also have a 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. It could be a serious risk for a baby's health should a doctor use the equipment improperly or does not calibrate it properly. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is essential to contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can in the event of this happening. In some states, you only have one year to file a medical negligence case, so the earlier you begin the process, the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the most common reason for infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These conditions can be life-threatening and can lead to long-term physical, cognitive and emotional issues. In some instances, researchers have identified the causes as a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, toxins accumulated in the environment, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery or a medical history of the family (like genetic diseases like sickle cell diseases or PKU). In about 70% of cases, the reason is not known.

Certain birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot, are easily identifiable and can be diagnosed from birth or within the first year of a child's existence. Some birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, require specific tests to identify.

Researchers are trying to figure out what can cause birth defects and how these can be avoided. For instance, women who smoke or drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the risk of having a baby with a defect. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to get pregnant. 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.