What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing any expectant parent wants to hear: Their child could be born with a birth defect. These defects are caused by things that happen during growing up and could affect the mental or physical health of your child.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be used by a doctor to detect certain birth defects during pregnancy. Other birth defects may be discovered only after the birth of your child or when symptoms start to show.

What is the cause of your child's deformity?

The reason for many birth defects remains unknown. There are some things that increase the chance of being pregnant with a child with a birth defect. This includes using medications or taking certain medications prior to the birth, having a family member with an abnormal birth or certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women with an established history of these diseases should speak with an expert in genetic counseling about their options prior getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child is contingent on the body part that is affected and the extent to which it is affected. The more serious a birth defect is, the more severe the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused either through genetics or environmental factors during fetal growth. You can reduce your risk of a birth defect talking to a genetic counsellor, learning about the health background of your family, and speaking with an expert in genetics.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how an element of your body appears or functions. They can be obvious, like cleft lips or Cleft palettes, but also invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Genetic disorders that are inherited are a type of structural birth defect and environmental factors like the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects, which cause spinal cord or brain not developing properly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are a number of medical procedures a pregnant woman can undergo to discover more about possible birth defects. One of them is amniocentesis which involves a medical professional taking a small sample of the fetal fluid to be tested. This procedure can reveal chromosomal changes as well as other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also examine the blood of a fetus, amniotic fluid and even the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are essential in determining the causes of birth defects. They can also assist in determining the severity of a birth defect will be and the consequences it could have on a child's the years to come.

However certain birth defects could be unnoticed until the baby is born or, in rare cases, an adult. These problems aren't visible when they first appear and are usually only detected with equipment for diagnosing. In these cases, the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the latest technologies and possess the knowledge and experience required to be able identify these defects. A lawyer who has expertise should be able to pinpoint the best expert for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a serious defect or a severe birth injury can alter the life of a family. These injuries can cause life-long physical and emotional problems, often requiring ongoing medical treatment.

Although medical science has been able to identify the underlying causes behind about 30% of birth defects others remain a mystery. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances such as those in prescription or over the counter medicines taken by mothers or children, harmful chemicals in communities and homes or groundwater that is contaminated air may cause birth defects.

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

Doctors also have the responsibility to examine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray equipment, surgical instruments, and other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a newborn baby if a doctor uses the equipment negligently or does not calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. In the event of this it is important to consult a medical malpractice attorney as quickly as you can. In certain states, you're only given one year to file a medical malpractice case, so the sooner you begin the process the better.

Take the First Step

Birth defects affect one of 33 babies born every year and are a major cause of infant death. These issues can be life-threatening and can result in long-term physical, cognitive and emotional issues. Researchers have in a few instances linked the causes of birth defect attorneys defects to the mother's exposures to prescription and over-the-counter drugs as well as environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, pregnancy and birth or a family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic illnesses). However, in a majority of Birth Defect Law firms defects cases, the causes are unknown.

Certain birth defects are readily visible and can be detected at birth or within the first year. Certain birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities require special tests to identify.

Researchers are trying to discover what can cause birth defects and how they can be prevented. For example, women who smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chances of having a child with certain birth defects. Women with a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should think about seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information on medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.