What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing an expecting parent would like to hear: their child may have a birth defect. These problems could be the result of things that happen during growing up and could affect the physical or mental health of your child.

Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be used by a doctor to detect certain weston birth defect lawyer defects that can occur during pregnancy. However, other birth defects may not be discovered until after your child's birth or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What caused your child's deformity?

Many birth defects remain undiscovered. There are a few factors that increase the chance of being pregnant with a child with a birth defect. This includes using medications or taking certain medications prior to the birth, having a family member that has an abnormal birth or certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women who have an ancestral history of these disorders are advised to consult a genetic counsellor before becoming pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a child varies on the body part affected and how much is affected. The more serious a birth defect is, the more severe the problems.

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

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how a part of your body looks or functions. They may be visible like cleft lips, cleft palettes, or invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations may be a sign 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 or brain not functioning as it should.

Gather More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother may undergo to determine the cause of the possibility of a birth defect. One of them is amniocentesis which involves a medical professional taking a small amount of the fetal fluid to be tested. This test may reveal chromosomal irregularities and other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic fluid, blood and the tissues of a fetus for indications of a birth defect. These tests are vital in finding out the reason for birth defects. They can also assist in determining how serious the birth defect is and the effects it could be having on a child's their adult life.

Some birth defects may not be detected until after a baby's birth or, suwanee Birth defect lawsuit in rare instances even after becoming an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent when they occur and are usually only detected by using diagnostic equipment. In these cases the medical expert witness must be conversant with the technology and have the education required to be able to spot the defects. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney should be able to identify the most appropriate expert for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers from a severe birth injury, it can completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can cause long-lasting physical and emotional problems and often require the need for a lifetime of medical treatment.

While medical science is able to pinpoint the underlying causes behind about 30% of birth defects others remain a mystery. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances, such as those in prescription or over the counter medications taken by a mother, toxic chemicals in the community and in homes as well as contaminated groundwater and air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to assess an expectant mother's current medication and inform her of any dangers to the baby. If they fail to perform this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors also have a responsibility to assess the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines surgical tools, as well as other equipment. This could cause serious harm for a baby's health in the event that a physician uses the equipment in error or does not calibrate it correctly. This would be considered malpractice. It is essential to contact a medical malpractice lawyer immediately when this happens. In some states, you have only a single year to file a medical negligence claim, so the earlier you start the process the better.

Begin by completing the first Step

Birth defects are the primary reason for infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These conditions could be life-threatening and cause a myriad of mental, Vimeo emotional and physical issues. Researchers have in a few instances connected the birth defects' causes due to exposure of the mother to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during delivery and pregnancy and family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic illnesses). In the majority of cases, the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easily identifiable and are easily diagnosed at Abbeville birth defect attorney or within the first year of a child's life. Others, such as heart problems or developmental and intellectual disabilities are not as easy to identify and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are trying to discover the cause of birth defects and how they can be avoided. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs when pregnant are at greater risk of having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of inheritance genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They may also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.