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What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a expecting parent wants to be told is that their child may be born with a deformity. These birth defects are caused by the things that happen during the fetal stage and could affect your child's mental or physical health.

A health care provider can identify birth defects during pregnancy with newborn screening or prenatal tests. However, other birth defects may not be discovered until after your child's birth or when they start to develop symptoms.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

The reason for many birth defects remains unknown. There are certain factors which can increase the chances of the mother having a child with birth defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a family member who has birth defects or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women who have an history of these conditions should consult a genetic counselor about their options before getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child is contingent on the body part that is affected and how severe the damage. The more severe the birth defect, the greater the severity of the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal development. The chance of developing birth defects can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history of health issues and genes or talking to an expert on genetics and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural birth defects are those that change how a part of the body appears or functions. They can range from the visible, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, to the invisible, like chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations can result in structural birth defects. Environmental causes, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects, which result in the development of the spinal cord and brain not functioning properly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis is one of them, which entails a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid for analysis. This test may reveal chromosomal mutations and other health conditions such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic abnormalities.

A doctor can also test a fetus' blood, amniotic fluid and even the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are essential in diagnosing the root of birth defects. They also help determine the severity of a birth defect and the impact it has on a child's life.

However, some birth defects can go undetected until a baby is born, or in rare cases, as an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent when they first appear and are sometimes only detected through diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the latest technologies and possess the education required to be able to spot these flaws. An experienced medical malpractice attorney will be able to identify the right expert for your particular case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a severe birth defect lawsuits defect or suffers a serious birth injury, it can completely turn the world of a family upside down. These injuries can lead to lasting physical and mental health challenges, requiring medical care for the rest of their lives.

Medical science can pinpoint the causes of about 30% of birth defects, others remain unsolved. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, such as those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medications that mothers use, the toxic chemicals at play in certain communities and in homes, or the contaminating air and groundwater.

Doctors are required to evaluate the medication taken by the expecting mother and inform her of any possible dangers for the foetus. If they fail to perform this duty, they can be held responsible for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors also have a responsibility to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could cause serious harm for a child if a doctor uses the equipment negligently or does not calibrate it correctly. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is crucial to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer immediately if this happens. In some states, you're given only one year to file a case for medical malpractice and it's recommended to start the process as soon as possible.

Begin by completing the first Step

Birth defects affect one of 33 babies born every year and are a major cause of infant death. These conditions could be life-threatening and cause a myriad of cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges. Scientists have in some cases identified the causes of birth defects to the mother's exposures to prescription and non-prescription drugs, environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, pregnancy and birth, family medical history, or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic illnesses). However, in the majority of birth defects cases the causes are not clear.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to see and can be identified at birth or in the first year of a child's life. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities aren't as easy to identify and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are trying to figure out what can cause birth defects and how some of them can be prevented. For instance smoking, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their likelihood of having a child with certain birth defects. Women who have a family history of inherited genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to get pregnant. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information about medical conditions that can be found in their families and discuss it with their doctor or genetic counselor.