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What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing that any expecting parent wants to be told is that their child could have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by things that occur during the development of the fetus and can affect your child's physical or mental health.

A health care provider can identify birth defects during pregnancy by using the prenatal test or newborn screening. Other birth defects may only be identified after the birth of your child, or after symptoms are evident.

What is the cause of your child's deformity?

The root of many birth defects remains unknown. However, there are a few factors that can increase a woman's risk of having a baby born with a defect. One of them is using certain medications or taking certain drugs before becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defect attorney defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic 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 issues or not depends on the body part that is affected and how much of the body part is affected. Usually, the more severe the defect is it, the more serious the issues will be.

Most birth defects are caused either by genetics or the environment during fetal growth. You can lessen the risk of developing a birth defect by consulting with a genetic counsellor and learning about the health background of your family, and having a conversation with a geneticist.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how an element of your 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 could be a form of birth defects with structural causes. Environmental factors, for instance, the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal or brain not functioning properly.

Get More Evidence than You Think

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo in order to find out more about a possible birth defect. Amniocentesis is a prime example, which is when a healthcare professional collects an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for testing. This test could reveal chromosomal anomalies as well as other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test a fetus' blood or amniotic fluid as well as the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are essential in determining the causes of birth defects. They also aid in determining how serious the birth defect could be and the consequences it could have on a child in his or her adult life.

However certain birth defects could be unnoticed until the baby is born, or in rare instances, even as an adult. These problems aren't visible when they first appear and can be detected with equipment for diagnosing. In these cases, the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the techniques and the knowledge and experience required to identify these defects. A lawyer who has experience should be able identify the most appropriate specialist for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If 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 cause life-long physical and emotional problems, often requiring ongoing medical treatment.

Medical science could explain up to 30 percent of birth defects However, the majority of cases are still a mystery. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications that mothers take or children, harmful chemicals in the community and in homes or groundwater that is contaminated air can cause birth defects.

Doctors have a duty to evaluate the mother's current medications, and advise her about any dangers to the embryo. If they fail in this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects caused by medications.

Doctors also have a duty to determine the safety of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment or fails properly calibrate the equipment, it could have grave consequences for the baby. This is considered to be malpractice. It is crucial to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer immediately should this happen. In some states, you're only given a single year to file a medical malpractice case, so the earlier you begin the process the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the main cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These issues can be life-threatening, and they can cause long-term physical, cognitive and emotional problems. Scientists have in a few cases linked the birth defects' causes in mothers' exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs as well as environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and birth and family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic illnesses). However, in approximately 70% of birth defect cases the causes are not clear.

Certain birth defects, such as clubfoot or hearing loss, are easily identifiable and are easily diagnosed at birth or within the first year of a child's existence. Others, such as heart problems or developmental and intellectual disabilities are not as easily identifiable and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are trying to figure out what causes birth defects and how they can be prevented. For instance, women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the risk of having a baby with a defect. Women with a family history of inheritance genetic disorders should consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. They may also use 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.