What Causes a Birth Defect?
The last thing any expecting parent would like to be told is that their child might be born with a deformity. These defects are caused by factors that occur during fetal development and can affect your child's mental or physical health.
Screening for newborns and prenatal tests can be used by a health care provider to diagnose certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects can only be detected following the birth of your child or if symptoms start to show.
What is the cause of your child's deformity?
Many birth defects remain undiscovered. However there are several factors that increase the risk of having a baby with defects. Some of these include taking certain medications or prescription drugs before getting pregnant or having an ancestral history of birth defects or having medical conditions like rheumatic disease. Women who have an history of these conditions should consult an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior to getting pregnant.
The severity of a birth defect in a child varies on the affected body part and the extent to which it is affected. The more severe the defect then the more severe the issues will be.
Most birth defects are caused through genetics or environmental factors during fetal development. The chance of developing birth defects can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history with health issues and genes, talking to a genetic counselor and following the prenatal care guidelines.
Structural birth defects alter how a part of the body appears or works. They vary from the obvious like cleft lip and cleft palate, up to the invisibly, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorder. Inherited genetic conditions can be a type of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, for instance, the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects, which result in brain or spinal cord development not functioning properly.
Find More Evidence than You Think You Can.
There are a number of medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to determine potential birth defects. Amniocentesis, for instance, is where a healthcare provider takes an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for testing. This test may reveal chromosomal irregularities as well as other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.
A doctor can test the amniotic liquid, blood and fetus's tissues for signs of birth defect. These tests are vital in determining the cause of
birth defect attorney defect. They can also help determine how serious a birth defect will be and the impact it will have on a child's their adult life.
Some birth defects might not be discovered at the time of birth or, in some rare cases, even as an adult. These problems aren't visible before they are present and are usually only detected by using equipment for diagnosing. In these cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness involved is familiar with these technologies and has the proper education to identify such defects. A seasoned medical malpractice
lawyer will be able to identify the appropriate specialist for your case.
Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer
A child born with a severe defect or a severe
birth defect lawyer injury could completely alter the life of a family. These injuries can cause long-term physical and mental issues needing medical attention for a lifetime.
While medical science can identify the causes of about 30 percent of birth defects others remain a mystery. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances can 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, as well as contaminated air and groundwater.
Doctors have a duty to review the pregnant mother's current medications and inform her about any dangers to the embryo. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects caused by medications.
Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of any procedure or device they recommend to 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 cause grave consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. If this happens, it's important to consult a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a claim for medical malpractice and it's recommended to start the process as soon as possible.
Step 1. Step
Birth defects affect one of 33 babies born each year and are a major reason for infant mortality. These conditions can be life-threatening and result in a variety of long-term physical, emotional and cognitive issues. In a few instances, scientists have identified the causes as a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the counter medicines, toxins that are found in the environment or in the maternal environment, as well as complications associated with pregnancy and birth, or medical history in the family (like genetic illnesses such as sickle cell disease, PKU). But in about 70% of all birth defect cases, the causes are unknown.
Certain birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot are easy to spot and are easily diagnosed from birth or within the first year of a child's life. Others, such as heart problems or developmental and intellectual disabilities, aren't as easily identifiable and require special tests.
Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how them can be prevented. For example smoking and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chance of having a baby with certain defects. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders that are inherited may want to speak with a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. They could also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect information on medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.