공지사항

What Causes a birth defect law firms Defect?

It's not something that any expecting parent would like to hear: Their child may have a birth defect. These problems are caused by the things that happen during the development of the fetus and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

A doctor can diagnose some birth defects in pregnancy through prenatal testing or newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be diagnosed until after your child's birth or later when they develop symptoms.

What is the cause of your child's deformity?

The causes of many birth defects remains unknown. However there are some factors that can increase the risk of having a baby with defects. Some of these include taking drugs or certain medications prior to becoming pregnant or having an ancestral history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have an history of these conditions should consult a genetic counselor about their options prior getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child depends on the body part affected and how severe the damage. Typically, the more severe the defect is and the more serious the problem will be.

Most birth defect attorney defects are caused by genes or the environment during the development of the fetus. The risk of having birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history with health issues and genes or talking to an expert on genetics and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way the body looks or functions. They can range from the visible such as cleft lips and cleft palate to the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorder. Inherited genetic conditions can result in birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord and brain not functioning properly.

Gather More Evidence than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that pregnant mothers may undergo to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis can be one of them, in which a healthcare professional takes an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for testing. This test can reveal chromosomal modifications, as well as other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor can examine the blood, amniotic liquid and tissues of a fetus for signs of a birth defect. These tests are essential to finding out the cause of a birth defect. They can also help determine the severity of the birth defect is and the effect it may have on a child in their adult life.

Certain birth defects might not be discovered until after the birth of a baby or, in rare cases, even as an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent prior to their onset and are sometimes only detected with diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the appropriate knowledge to spot these issues. An experienced medical malpractice attorney is able to determine the most suitable expert for your particular case.

Find an attorney for Medical Malpractice

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

Medical science can pinpoint the underlying causes behind about 30 percent of birth defects others remain unsolved. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, for example those that are found in prescription and over-the-counter medicines that mothers are prescribed, the toxic chemicals at working in some communities and homes, as well as contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors have a duty to assess an expectant mother's current medications and inform her of any dangers to the fetus. If they fail to perform this duty, they can be held liable for Birth Defect Law Firms defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to assess the safety and efficacy of any equipment or procedure they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could cause grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered to be malpractice. When this happens you should speak with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. In some states, you only have a single year to file a medical negligence case, so the faster you begin the process the better.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the main cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These conditions are life-threatening, and can lead to lasting physical, cognitive and emotional issues. Scientists have in a few cases linked the causes of birth defects to exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs, environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, delivery and pregnancy, family medical history, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). In around 70% of cases, the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects, including hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to see and can be diagnosed at birth or within the first year of a child's life. Some birth defects, such as heart defects, intellectual and developmental disabilities require special tests to detect.

Researchers are attempting to determine what can cause birth defects and how some of they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or use illegal drugs while pregnant increase their risk for having a child with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes inherited genetic disorders may want to consult with a genetic counselor prior to trying to be pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information regarding medical conditions that are prevalent through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.