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What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing any expecting parents wants to hear: Their child may be born with a defect. These birth defects are caused the things that happen during fetal development and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

Testing for prenatal and newborns can be utilized by a doctor to diagnose certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other birth defects could not be identified until after the baby is born or later when they develop symptoms.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

Many birth defects are still undiscovered. However there are a few things that can increase the risk of having a child born with defects. These include using drugs or taking certain medications prior to the birth, having a family member with birth defects or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women with a family background of these disorders are advised to speak with a genetic counselor prior to getting pregnant.

Whether a child's birth defect causes serious issues or not is dependent on the body part that is affected and how much of the body part is affected. The more severe a birth defect, the more severe the problems.

The majority of birth defects are caused either by genes or environment during fetal growth. The risk of having birth defects can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history with health issues and genes and speaking with an expert on genetics and following the guidelines for prenatal care.

Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way an area of your body looks or performs. They vary from the obvious like cleft lip and cleft palate to the invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Inherited genetic conditions may be a sign of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, such as an absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that result in the development of the spinal or brain not functioning properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures that pregnant women can undergo to find out more about potential birth defects. Amniocentesis is one example, in which a healthcare professional takes a small sample of fluid from the fetus to conduct analysis. This procedure could reveal chromosomal anomalies, as well other health conditions, such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also examine the fetus's blood, amniotic fluid and Birth Defect Attorney even the tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are essential in finding out the cause of birth defects. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its effect on a child's life.

Certain birth defects may not be discovered until after a baby's birth or, in rare instances, even as an adult. This is due to the fact that these conditions aren't easily detected until they become apparent, and often can only be identified with the use of diagnostic equipment. In these instances the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the techniques and the training necessary to be able identify these issues. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you identify the most suitable expert for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a serious birth injury, it can completely turn a family's lives upside down. These injuries can lead to long-term physical and mental issues that require medical attention for a lifetime.

Medical science can explain about 30 percent of birth defect cases however, many other cases remain unknown. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, like those present in prescription or over the counter medications a mother takes, the toxic chemicals at work in some communities and homes, or contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors have a duty to examine a pregnant mother's current medications and inform her about any risks to the fetus. If they fail to perform this obligation, they could be held accountable for Birth Defect Attorney defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray equipment, surgical tools, and other equipment. It could be a serious risk for a baby's health should a doctor use the equipment in error or fails to calibrate it correctly. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is important to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can if this happens. In certain states, you have only one year to file a medical negligence case, so the faster you start the process the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies born each year and are a major cause of infant mortality. These conditions are life-threatening and cause a myriad of cognitive, emotional, and physical difficulties. Scientists have, in some instances, identified the birth defects' causes in mothers' exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs or environmental toxins, as well as maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery, family medical history, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic diseases). However, in approximately 70% of all birth defects the cause is not known.

Certain birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot are easy to see and are easily diagnosed from birth or within the first year of a child's existence. Other conditions, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities are not as obvious and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are trying to figure out the root of birth defects, and how they can be prevented. For example women who smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chances of having a child with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to be pregnant. They could also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data about medical conditions that can be traced through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.