What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing that an expecting parents wants to hear: Their child may have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by things that happen in the fetal period and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

Screening for newborns and prenatal tests can be utilized by a doctor to diagnose certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other birth defects can not be identified until after the birth of your child or later when they develop symptoms.

What was the cause of your child's error?

Many birth defects are not known. There are a few factors that increase the chance of a woman having a child with birth defect. Some of these include taking certain medications or drugs prior to becoming pregnant or having an ancestral history of birth defects or having certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women who have an ancestry of these disorders are advised to consult a genetic counselor about their options prior getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a baby is dependent on the affected body part and how much is affected. The more severe the defect is then the more severe the problems will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the fetal growth. The chance of developing birth defect law firms - mournheim.com, defects is reduced by knowing about your family's history with genes and health issues by speaking to an expert on genetics and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how an area of your body looks or performs. They may be visible like cleft lips or Cleft palettes, but also invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations can be a type of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, such as a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that result in the development of the spinal cord or brain not working as intended.

Find More Evidence than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo in order to discover more about the possibility of birth defects. One of these is amniocentesis which involves a medical professional taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. 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 liquid, blood and tissues of a fetus for indications of a birth defect. These tests are crucial in determining the root of birth defects. They also aid in determining the severity of a birth defect could be and the impact it will have on a child's their adulthood.

Certain birth defects may not be recognized until after a baby's birth or, in a few instances even after becoming an adult. These conditions are not detectable until they are present and may only be recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these cases, the medical expert witness must be familiar with the technology and have the education required to be able to spot these defects. A lawyer who has expertise should be able to pinpoint the right specialist for your case.

Hire an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

A child born with a serious defect or a severe birth injury can drastically alter the life of the family. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and emotional issues and often require ongoing medical treatment.

Medical science can pinpoint the root causes of around 30% of birth defects, many others remain unsolved. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances, like those found in prescription or over the counter medications taken by a mother or children, harmful chemicals in homes and communities or in groundwater that has been contaminated with air can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to evaluate the mother's current medications, and advise her of any risks to the foetus. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines surgical tools, and any other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment, or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could result in grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is essential to contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can when this happens. In some states, you're only given one year to file a medical malpractice case, so the sooner you start the process the better.

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Birth defects are the leading cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These conditions are life-threatening and cause a myriad of mental, emotional and physical challenges. In a few instances, scientists have connected the causes to mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, toxins that are found in the environment and maternal infections, the complications associated with pregnancy and birth or medical history in the family (like genetic illnesses, sickle cell disease or PKU). In the majority of cases, the cause is unknown.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot, are easy to see and can be identified at birth or within the first year of a child's life. Some birth defects, like heart defects, developmental and intellectual disabilities, require specific tests to determine the cause.

Researchers are trying to discover the causes of birth defects and how they can be avoided. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs when pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child born with certain defects. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to conceive. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and discuss it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.