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What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing that an expectant parent wants to hear: their child may have a birth defect. These problems can be caused by events that occur during pregnancy and can impact the mental or physical health of your child.

A health care provider can identify birth defects during pregnancy by using prenatal tests or newborn screening. However other Birth defect Law firms defects might not be detected until after the baby is born or when they start to develop symptoms.

What was the cause of your child's error?

The root of many birth defects remains unknown. However, there are a few factors that can increase the likelihood of having a child with a defect. These include taking prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to the birth, having a family member that has a birth defect or having certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women who have an ancestral background of these disorders are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling prior to getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a baby is dependent on the body part affected and how severe the damage. The more severe the birth defect the greater the severity of the problems.

The majority of birth defects are caused either by genes or environment during fetal development. The risk of having birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history of health issues and genes and speaking with an expert on genetics and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth problems are those that alter the way a part of your body appears or functions. They may be visible such as cleft lips and Cleft palettes, but also invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic disorders. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a type of structural birth defect, while environmental factors such as a lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which cause brain or spinal cord not developing properly.

Get More Evidence than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that a pregnant woman may undergo to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis can be one of them, where a healthcare provider takes tiny amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct analysis. This test may reveal chromosomal mutations, as well as other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic abnormalities.

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

However certain birth defects may remain unnoticed until a child is born, or in rare instances, even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable when they occur and can be detected through diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the technologies and have the education required to be able identify these defects. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer is able to determine the most suitable expert for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

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

Medical science is able to explain approximately 30 percent of birth defects but the rest are still a mystery. Research has proven that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, such as those present in prescription or over the counter medications that mothers use and the harmful chemicals that working in some communities and homes, as well as contaminated air and groundwater.

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

Doctors are also required to determine the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray equipment, surgical tools, and any other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a baby's health when a doctor uses the equipment improperly or fails to calibrate it correctly. This would be considered to be malpractice. It is essential to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer immediately when this happens. In certain states, you have only one year to file a case for medical malpractice therefore it's best to start the process as soon as you can.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect one out of 33 newborns every year and are the most common cause of infant mortality. These conditions are life-threatening, and can trigger lasting physical, cognitive and emotional problems. In a few instances, scientists have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the counter medications, toxins accumulated in the environment and maternal infections, the complications of pregnancy and delivery or a medical history in the family (like genetic diseases, sickle cell disease or PKU). In around 70% of cases, the reason is unknown.

Certain birth defects, including hearing loss or clubfoot are easily identifiable and can be identified at birth defect lawyer or in the first year of a child's existence. Others, such as heart problems or intellectual and developmental disabilities aren't as easily identifiable and require special tests.

Researchers are working to understand what causes birth defects and how them may be prevented. For instance, women who smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their risk of having a baby with a defect. Women with a family history involving genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to conceive. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data about medical conditions that run in their families and then share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.