What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing an expectant parent wants to hear: Their child could be born with a birth defect. These problems are caused by factors that occur during the fetal stage and could affect your child's physical or mental health.

A doctor is able to detect some birth defects during pregnancy using the prenatal test or newborn screening. Other birth defects can only be detected after the birth of your child, or after symptoms begin to appear.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

The causes of numerous birth defects remains unclear. However there are some factors that can increase the chance of having a baby born with defects. Some of these include taking certain medications or drugs before becoming pregnant or 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 consult a genetic counselor prior to becoming pregnant.

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

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal development. The risk of having birth defects is reduced by knowing about your family's history of genes and health issues or talking to an expert in genetic counseling and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how an element of your body appears or functions. They can be visible, like cleft lips and Cleft palettes, but also invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations are one kind of structural birth defect, while environmental factors such as a lack of folic acid can cause neural tube defects, which result in the brain or spinal cord not developing correctly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that pregnant mothers can undergo to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. One of these is amniocentesis that involves a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid to test. This test may reveal chromosomal irregularities as well as other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also test the blood of a fetus or amniotic fluid as well as the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are crucial in determining the root of birth defects. They can also assist in determining the severity of a birth defect could be and the effects it could have on a child in their adulthood.

Certain birth defects might not be identified until after a baby's birth or, in some rare cases, even as an adult. These problems aren't visible prior to their onset and can be detected by using equipment for diagnosing. In these cases the medical expert witness must be conversant with the technology and have the training necessary to recognize these issues. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able to identify the best expert for your case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers from a severe birth injury, it can completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and mental challenges and require medical treatment for a lifetime.

While medical science is able to pinpoint the causes of about 30% of birth defects others remain unexplained. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, for example those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medications a mother takes or the toxic chemicals at working in some communities and homes, as well as contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required to assess an expectant mother's current medications, and advise her about any risks for the foetus. If they fail to fulfill this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to examine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment, or fails to correctly calibrate the equipment, it could result in serious consequences for the baby. This is a case of malpractice. In the event of this you should seek out a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can. In some states, you only have a single year to file a medical negligence case, so the sooner you begin the process the better.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects affect 1 out of 33 newborns every year and are a major cause of infant mortality. These conditions are life-threatening and cause a myriad of mental, emotional and physical issues. Scientists have in some cases connected the birth defects' causes in mothers' exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs, environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, the Portland Birth Defect Attorney and pregnancy or a family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, or other genetic illnesses). In about 70% of cases, the reason is not known.

Certain birth defects are easily evident and can be found when a baby is born or in the first year. Others, like heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, are not as obvious and require special tests.

Researchers are attempting to determine what can cause birth defects and how some of these can be avoided. For example, women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their risk of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women who have a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information regarding medical conditions that run in their families and then share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.