What Causes a Birth Defect?

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

Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be used by a healthcare professional to diagnose certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However, other sutherlin birth defect lawsuit defects may not be detected until after your child is born or when they start to develop symptoms.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

The cause of numerous birth defects remains unclear. There are several factors which can increase the chances of pregnant women having children with birth defect. This includes using medications or taking certain medications prior to the birth, having a relative with birth defects or certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women with an established history of these diseases should talk to an expert in genetic counseling about their options prior to getting pregnant.

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

Most birth defects are caused either by genes or the environment during fetal development. You can lessen the risk of a birth defect consulting a genetic counselor or a health professional, gaining knowledge about the history of your family and talking with the geneticist.

Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way the body looks or performs. They may be visible, like cleft lips and cleft palettes, or invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic disorders. Genetic disorders that are inherited are a kind of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors like an absence of folic acids can lead to neural tube defects, which can result in the spinal cord or the brain not developing correctly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think

There are a number of medical procedures a pregnant woman can undergo to determine a potential birth defect. Amniocentesis is a prime example, which is when a healthcare professional collects a small sample of fluid from the fetus for testing. This test can reveal chromosomal defects, as well other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the blood, amniotic liquid and the fetus's tissues for signs of goshen birth defect attorney defect. These tests are crucial to determining the causes of birth defects. They also help determine the severity of lake forest birth defect lawyer defect and its effects on the adult life of a child.

Certain birth defects may not be discovered at the time of birth or, in rare instances even as an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent when they occur and are sometimes only detected through equipment for diagnosing. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the techniques and the knowledge and experience required to be able identify these defects. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney is able to determine the most appropriate expert for your case.

Hire an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

When a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers from a severe birth injury, it can completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can lead to permanent physical and mental problems and require medical treatment for the rest of their lives.

Medical science could explain up to 30 percent of birth defects however, many other cases remain unknown. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, including those that are found in prescription and over-the-counter medications that mothers use or the toxic chemicals at working in some communities and homes, or in contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors must evaluate the medication taken by an expectant mother and inform her of any possible risks for the foetus. If they fail to fulfill this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to assess the safety and efficacy of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could result in serious consequences for a baby's health in the event that a physician uses the equipment in error or fails to calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. It is essential to contact a medical malpractice lawyer immediately should this happen. In certain states, you are only allowed a single year to file a medical negligence claim, so the earlier you begin the process the better.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect one of 33 babies born every year and are a major cause of infant death. These conditions can be life-threatening and cause long-term physical, emotional and cognitive issues. Researchers have in a few instances linked the causes of birth defects to exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs, environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and birth, family medical history, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic illnesses). However, in a majority of birth defects cases the cause is unknown.

Some birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easy to detect and are easily diagnosed at birth or within the first year of a child's life. Others, like heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, aren't as obvious and require specialized tests.

Researchers are trying to discover the causes of birth defects and how these can be avoided. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs while pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child with certain defects. Women with a family history involving genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to have a baby. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that run in their families and then share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.