What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing that any expecting parent would like to learn is that their child might be born with a deformity. These birth defect lawsuits defects could be the result of the the fetal development and can affect the mental or physical health of your child.

Testing for prenatal and newborns can be utilized by a health professional to determine the presence of certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects can be discovered only after your child's birth or when symptoms appear.

What was the reason for your child's deformity?

Many birth defects remain unknown. However, there are a few things that can increase a woman's risk of having a child with a defect. These include using drugs or taking certain medications prior to the birth, having a relative with an abnormal birth or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women with an history of these conditions are advised to consult a genetic counselor about their options prior to getting pregnant.

If a birth defect in a baby causes serious problems or not will depend on which body part is affected and the extent of the body part affected. The more serious a birth defect is, the greater the severity of the problems.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the fetal development. The chance of developing birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history with genes and health issues by speaking to an expert on genetics and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how an area of your body looks or performs. They can range from visible such as cleft lips and cleft palate, but also the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Genetically-inherited conditions could be a form of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, for instance, the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects, which result in brain or spinal cord development not functioning properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures pregnant mothers can undergo to determine the cause of the possibility of a birth defect law firm defect. Amniocentesis is one of them, that involves a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid for testing. This procedure could reveal chromosomal variations and other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor can also test a fetus' blood, amniotic fluid and even the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are essential in finding out the cause of birth defects. They also aid in determining the severity of the birth defect is and the effects it could have on a child in the years to come.

Certain birth defects might not be discovered until after the birth of a baby or, in a few instances even as an adult. This is due to the fact that these problems are not easily identified until they are present, and often can only be detected using diagnostic equipment. In these cases the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the technologies and have the necessary training to identify these issues. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney can help you identify the right expert for your particular case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a devastating birth injury, it can completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and emotional problems which often require an entire lifetime of medical attention.

Although medical science has been able to identify the underlying causes behind about 30 percent of birth defects, many others remain unsolved. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances like those found in prescription or over the counter medications that mothers take, toxic chemicals in homes and communities, or contaminated groundwater and air, can cause birth defects.

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

Doctors also have a responsibility to examine the safety of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could result in serious consequences for a child if a doctor uses the equipment negligently or does not calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. It is essential to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer immediately in the event of this happening. In some states you have only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice and it's recommended to begin the process as soon as possible.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the most common reason for infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These issues are life-threatening, and can result in lasting physical, cognitive and emotional problems. Scientists have, in some instances, linked the causes of birth defects due to exposure of the mother to prescription or over-the-counter medicines or environmental toxins, as well as complications of motherhood, infections, delivery and pregnancy and medical history of the family, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). In the majority of cases, the reason is not known.

Certain birth defects are readily detectable and can be identified either at birth or during the first year of life. Other conditions, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities are not as easy to identify and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are attempting to determine what causes birth defect attorney defects and how these can be avoided. Women who smoke, drink or consume illegal substances while pregnant increase their risk for having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of inherited genetic disorders may want to speak with a genetic counselor before trying to conceive. They should also utilize the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data regarding medical conditions that are prevalent through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.