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What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a new parent would like to hear is that their child could have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by the things that happen in the fetal period and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

A health care provider can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy using newborn screening or prenatal tests. Other birth defects may only be detected following your child's birth or when symptoms begin to appear.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

The root of numerous birth defects remains unclear. However there are a few things that increase a woman's risk of having a child born with defects. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, having a family member that has birth defects or certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestral history of these disorders are advised to speak with a genetic counsellor before becoming pregnant.

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

The majority of birth defects are caused by genes or environment during fetal growth. The risk of having birth defects can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history of health issues and genes or talking to an expert in genetic counseling and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how the body appears or performs. They vary from the obvious, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, but also the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorder. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations could be a form of birth defects with structural causes. Environmental factors, for instance, a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal or brain not working as intended.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. One example is amniocentesis, which involves a healthcare provider taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure may reveal chromosomal mutations in addition to other health conditions such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also test a fetus' blood amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are crucial in finding out the cause of a birth defect. They also aid in determining how severe a birth defect will be and the consequences it could have on a child's their adult life.

Some birth defects might not be identified until after a baby's birth or, in rare cases even as an adult. These problems are not easily identified until they become apparent, and can sometimes only be identified with the use of diagnostic equipment. For these types of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness in question is familiar with these techniques and has the proper training to be able to identify such defects. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able to identify the most appropriate specialist for your case.

Employ an attorney for Medical Malpractice

A child born with a severe defect or severe birth injury could completely alter the life of the family. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and mental challenges and require medical treatment for the rest of his life.

Medical science can pinpoint the underlying causes behind about 30% of birth defects, many others remain unexplained. Research has found 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 defect lawyers defects.

Doctors are required to review the pregnant mother's current medication and inform her about any risks to the baby. If they fail to perform this duty, they can be held responsible for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors also have a duty to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical tools, and other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses the equipment or fails properly calibrate the equipment, it could lead to grave consequences for the baby. This is a case of malpractice. It is important to contact a medical negligence lawyer as soon as you can should this happen. In some states, you have only a single year to file a medical malpractice case, so the earlier you begin the process the more favorable.

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Birth defects affect one out of 33 babies born each year and are a major cause of infant mortality. These conditions can be life-threatening and can result in a variety of long-term mental, emotional and physical problems. In some cases, scientists have identified the cause to be a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the counter medications, toxins accumulated in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery, or medical history of the family (like genetic illnesses, sickle cell disease or PKU). However, in approximately 70% of all birth defects the cause is not known.

Some 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. Certain birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and development disabilities, require special tests to determine the cause.

Researchers are trying to discover what can cause birth defects and how some of they can be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs when pregnant increase their risk for having a child with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to be pregnant. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information about medical conditions that run in their families and provide it to their doctor or a genetic counselor.