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What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing that any expecting parent would like to learn is that their child might have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by the things that happen during fetal development and can affect your child's physical or mental health.

A medical professional can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy by using prenatal tests or newborn screening. Other birth defects can only be identified after the birth of your child or if symptoms begin to appear.

What caused your child's deficiency?

The cause of many birth defects is not known. There are several factors which can increase the chances of the mother having a child with birth defect. This includes using medications or taking certain medications prior to the birth, having a family member that has an abnormal birth or certain medical conditions like rheumatic heart disease. Women who have a history of these disorders should consult a genetic counselor about their options prior getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child depends on the body part affected and how much is affected. The more severe the birth defect the more severe the problems.

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal development. You can reduce your risk of a birth defect consulting a genetic counselor and learning about the health background of your family, and meeting with a geneticist.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how an area of your body looks or performs. They may be visible like cleft lips and cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic disorders. Inherited genetic conditions are one kind of structural birth defect, while environmental factors such as a lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects that cause the spinal cord or brain not developing correctly.

Gather More Evidence than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that pregnant mothers may undergo to determine the cause of the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis is one example, which is when a healthcare professional collects small amounts of fluid from the fetus for examination. This test could reveal chromosomal anomalies and other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic fluid, blood and the tissues of a fetus for indications of a birth defect. These tests are crucial in diagnosing the root of birth defect. They can also determine the severity of a birth defect and its effects on a child's future.

However certain birth defect law firm defects could go undetected until a baby is born or, in rare cases, an adult. This is due to the fact that these problems are not easily identified until they are present and can sometimes only be recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. For these kinds of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness is familiar with these techniques and has the appropriate education to recognize these defects. A lawyer who has years of experience will be able to determine the appropriate expert for your case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

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

Medical science could explain up to 30% of birth defect cases however, many other cases remain unknown. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medication taken by mothers or children, harmful chemicals in communities and homes, or contaminated groundwater and air can cause birth defects.

Doctors have a duty to examine a pregnant mother's current medications and inform her of any potential risks for the baby. When they fail in this duty, they can be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors also have a responsibility to assess the safety of any procedure or device they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could have grave consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. It is important to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer as soon as you can when this happens. In some states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical malpractice case, so the sooner you start the process the better.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects affect one of 33 babies born each year and are a leading cause of infant mortality. The condition can be life-threatening and can cause long-term mental, emotional and physical issues. In some instances, scientists have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, toxins accumulated in the environment, maternal infections, complications of pregnancy and delivery or a family medical history (like genetic diseases like sickle cell diseases or PKU). In the majority of cases, the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot are easy to spot and are easily diagnosed from birth or within the first year of a child's life. Other conditions, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, aren't as easy to identify and require specialized tests.

Researchers are trying to determine the cause of birth defects and how they can be avoided. Women who drink, smoke or consume illegal substances while pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child with certain defects. Women who have a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. They should also use the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and provide it to their doctor or a genetic counselor.