What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing any expecting parent would like to hear: their child may 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 mental or physical health.

A medical professional can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy with prenatal tests or newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be diagnosed until after your child's birth or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

The cause of many birth defects remains unknown. However, there are a few factors that increase the risk of having a child born with a defect. These include using drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a family member with birth defect lawsuits defects or certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women with a family background of these disorders are advised to speak with a genetic counselor prior to becoming pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a child is contingent on the body part affected and the degree to which it is affected. The more severe the birth defect, the more serious the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal growth. The risk of having birth defects can be reduced by learning about your family's history of health issues and genes by speaking to an expert in genetic counseling and following the guidelines for prenatal care.

Structural birth imperfections are those that alter how a specific part of the body appears or functions. They may be visible, like cleft lips, cleft palettes, or invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic disorders. Genetically-inherited conditions could be a form of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, for instance, the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal cord or brain not functioning as it should.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are a variety of medical procedures that a pregnant woman is able to undergo in order to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis is one of them, which involves a healthcare provider taking a small amount of fetal fluid for testing. This procedure may reveal chromosomal mutations, as well as other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor can also examine the fetus's blood as well as amniotic fluid and the tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are essential in finding out the cause of birth defect attorneys defects. They can also help determine the severity of the birth defect is and the effect it may have on a child's their adult life.

However, some birth defects can remain unnoticed until a child is born, or in rare cases, as an adult. These conditions are not detectable before they are present and can be detected through equipment for diagnosing. 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 is able to determine the most appropriate expert for your particular case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a serious defect or birth injury can alter the life of families. These injuries can cause lasting physical and mental health challenges and require medical treatment for the rest of his life.

While medical science can identify the underlying causes behind about 30 percent of birth defects, many others remain unsolved. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, such as those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medications a mother takes and the harmful chemicals that working in some communities and homes, or in contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors are required to examine a pregnant mother's current medications, and advise her about any risks to the foetus. When they fail in this duty, they can be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors also have a duty to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using this equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could cause serious consequences for the baby. This is a case of malpractice. If this happens you should speak with a medical malpractice attorney as quickly as you can. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice therefore it's best to start the process as soon as possible.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects affect one in 33 babies born each year, and are the most common cause of infant death. These conditions can be life-threatening, and can trigger long-term physical, mental and emotional challenges. Scientists have in some cases linked the causes of birth defects due to exposure of the mother to prescription and non-prescription drugs, environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, the birth and pregnancy or a family medical history or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic diseases). However, in a majority of birth defects cases the causes are not clear.

Some birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easy to see and can be identified at birth or in the first year of a child's existence. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities are not as easy to identify and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are working to understand what can cause birth defects and how some of them can be prevented. For instance, women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their risk of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to be pregnant. They could also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information about medical conditions that can be traced through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.