What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a expecting parent wants to learn is that their child could have a birth defect lawyer defect. These birth defects are caused by the things that happen in the fetal period and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

A health care provider is able to detect some birth defects during pregnancy with prenatal tests or newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be detected until after your child's birth or later when they develop symptoms.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

The reason for many birth defects remains unknown. However there are several factors that can increase the likelihood of having a child with defects. This includes using medications or taking certain medications before pregnancy, a history of having a relative with birth defects or certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women with an established history of these diseases should consult a genetic counselor about their options before getting pregnant.

The degree to which a birth defect can cause serious health issues or not is contingent upon the body part that is affected and how much of the body part affected. The more severe the birth defect the more severe the problems.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the fetal growth. The chance of developing birth defects can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history of health and genetic issues by speaking to a genetic counselor, and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how an element of your body appears or functions. They can range from visible such as cleft lips and cleft palate to the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations can result in structural birth defects. Environmental factors, like the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal cord and brain not functioning as it should.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures pregnant mothers is able to undergo in order to discover more about the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis is a prime example, where a healthcare provider takes an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus to conduct examination. This procedure could reveal chromosomal variations in addition to other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also test the blood of a fetus amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are vital in finding out the cause of birth defects. They can also assist in determining how serious a birth defect could be and the effects it could have on a child's the years to come.

However, some birth defects can be unnoticed until the baby is born, or in rare cases, an adult. These issues aren't easily detected when they first appear and can be detected by using equipment for diagnosing. In these instances the medical expert witness must be conversant with the latest technologies and possess the necessary training to recognize the defects. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer should be able to identify the right expert for your particular case.

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A child born with a serious defect or a severe birth injury can alter the life of the family. These injuries can cause long-lasting physical and emotional problems, often requiring ongoing medical treatment.

While medical science is able to pinpoint the root causes of around 30% of birth defects, others remain unexplained. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, including those that are found in prescription and over-the-counter medication that mothers take and the harmful chemicals that play in certain communities and homes, or in contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required to examine a pregnant mother's current medications, and advise her of any potential risks for the foetus. If they fail to perform this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety and efficacy of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using the equipment, or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could cause serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered to be malpractice. It is crucial to contact a medical negligence lawyer immediately in the event of this happening. In certain states, you're only given a single year to file a medical malpractice case, so the earlier you start the process the more favorable.

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Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies born each year and are the most common cause of infant death. These conditions could be life-threatening, and can result in lasting physical, cognitive and emotional issues. Scientists have, in some instances, linked the causes of birth defects in mothers' exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs, environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, pregnancy and birth and medical history of the family, or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic diseases). However, in approximately 70% of birth defects cases the causes are not clear.

Some birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easily identifiable and can be detected either at birth or during the first year of a child's existence. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, are not as obvious and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are attempting to determine the causes of birth defects and how they can be prevented. For example women who smoke or drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chance of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and discuss it with their doctor or genetic counselor.