What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing an expecting parents wants to hear: Their child may have a birth defect. These issues may be caused by a variety of the pregnancy and can impact the mental or physical health of your child.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be utilized by a doctor to detect certain birth defects during pregnancy. Other birth defects could be discovered only after your child's birth or when symptoms are evident.

What is the reason for your child's defect?

Many birth defects remain undiscovered. There are some things that can increase the risk of being pregnant with a child with New Port Richey Birth Defect Attorney defect. Some of these include taking certain medications or prescription drugs prior to conception or having a family history of birth defects or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have an ancestral history of these conditions are advised to speak with an expert in genetic counseling prior to becoming pregnant.

The degree of fountain inn birth defect lawsuit defect in a child is contingent on the body part affected and how much is affected. The more severe the defect is and the more serious the problem will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during fetal growth. You can reduce your risk of having a birth defect by consulting with a genetic counsellor, learning about the health history of your family, and speaking with an expert in genetics.

Structural birth defects alter how a particular part of the body looks or works. They can range from visible like cleft lips and cleft palate, up to the invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a type of structural birth defect while environmental factors such as a lack of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause spinal cord or brain not developing correctly.

Get 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. Amniocentesis is a prime example, where a healthcare provider takes an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for examination. This test can reveal chromosomal abnormalities, as well other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test the blood of a fetus, amniotic fluid and even the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are essential in determining the causes of birth defects. They can also assist in determining how serious a birth defect could be and the consequences it could be having on a child's their adult life.

However certain birth defects could be missed until a baby is born or, in rare cases, an adult. These issues are not readily apparent until they become apparent, and can sometimes only be recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these instances the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the technologies and have the knowledge and experience required to identify these flaws. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer should be able to identify the most appropriate expert for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a severe defect or severe birth injury can drastically alter the life of a family. These injuries can cause lasting physical and mental health challenges that require medical attention for the rest of his life.

Medical science could explain up to 30 percent of birth defects however, many other cases remain unknown. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances such as those in prescription or over the counter medications that mothers take, toxic chemicals in the homes and communities or in groundwater that has been contaminated with air may cause birth defects.

Doctors must evaluate the medication taken by the expecting mother and inform her of any possible dangers for the foetus. If they fail to meet this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could cause serious harm for a baby in the event that a physician uses the equipment improperly or does not calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. It is important to contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can should this happen. In some states, you're given only one year to file a claim for medical malpractice and it's recommended to start the process as soon as possible.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects are the most common reason for infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These conditions can be life-threatening, and can trigger long-term physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. Scientists have in a few cases linked the causes of birth defects to exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs as well as environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery, family medical history, or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, or other genetic diseases). In the majority of cases, the cause is not known.

Certain birth defects are readily detectable and can be identified at north bend birth defect law firm or in the first year of life. Certain birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and development disabilities, require special tests to be identified.

Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or use illegal drugs while pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child born with certain defects. Women who have a family history of inheritance genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect information about medical conditions that can be traced through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.