What Causes a birth defect attorney Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent would like to learn is that their child could be born with a deformity. These birth defects are caused by factors that occur during fetal development and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

A doctor is able to detect some birth defects during pregnancy using newborn screening or prenatal tests. However, other birth defects may not be diagnosed until after your child's birth or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

The root of many birth defects remains unknown. There are certain factors that can increase the risk of being pregnant with a child with birth defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a family member with birth defects or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women with a family history of these diseases are advised to speak with a genetic counselor prior to getting pregnant.

If a birth defect in a baby causes serious problems or not is dependent on which body part is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. The more severe the defect is it, the more serious the problem will be.

The majority of birth defect lawsuits defects are caused by genes or the environment during the fetal growth. The risk of having birth defects is reduced by knowing about your family's history of genes and health issues or talking to a genetic counselor and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how the body appears or performs. They may be visible, like cleft lips, Cleft palettes, or they can be invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Genetically-inherited conditions may be a sign of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, such as a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal or brain not functioning properly.

Get More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are a variety of medical procedures pregnant mothers is able to undergo in order to discover more about the possibility of birth defects. One example is amniocentesis, that involves a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid for testing. This test may reveal chromosomal mutations, as well as other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor may also test a fetus' blood, amniotic fluid and even the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are crucial in determining the cause of birth defects. They can also assist in determining the severity of a birth defect could be and the effect it may have on a child in his or her adult life.

However, some birth defects can be unnoticed until the baby is born or, in rare instances, even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable before they are present and are often only discovered by using equipment for diagnosing. In these kinds of cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness in question is well-versed in these technologies and has the proper experience to identify such defects. A medical malpractice lawyer with years of experience will be able to determine the right specialist for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

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

Although medical science has been able to identify the causes of 30% of birth defects, many others remain a mystery. 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 or the toxic chemicals at play in certain communities and in homes, or the contaminating air and groundwater.

Doctors have a duty to review the pregnant mother's current medication and inform her of any dangers to the fetus. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held liable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray equipment, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment or fails to correctly calibrate the equipment, it could cause grave consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. If this happens it's crucial to speak with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you can. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice, so it's best to start the process as soon as possible.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects affect 1 out of 33 newborns every year, and are a major cause of infant mortality. The condition can be life-threatening and result in a variety of long-term physical, emotional and cognitive issues. Scientists have, in some instances, identified the causes of birth defects in mothers' exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs as well as environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery or a family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, or other genetic diseases). However, in approximately 70% of birth defects cases, the causes are unknown.

Some birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easily identifiable and can be identified at birth or in the first year of a child's life. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, aren't as obvious and require special tests.

Researchers are attempting to determine what can cause birth defects and how them may be prevented. For instance women who smoke or drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the risk of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women with a family history involving genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to conceive. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information about medical conditions that run in their families and share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.