What Causes a Birth Defect?
The last thing that any expecting parent would like to hear is that their child may be born with a deformity. These issues could be the result of circumstances that occur during growing up and could affect the physical or mental health of your child.
Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be utilized by a healthcare professional to identify certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other birth defects might not be detected until after your child's birth or later when they develop symptoms.
What caused your child's asymmetry?
The reason for numerous birth defects remains unclear. There are a few factors which can increase the chances of pregnant women having children with birth defect. Some of these include taking certain medications or drugs before becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects, or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women who have a history of these disorders should talk to an expert on genetic counseling about their options before getting pregnant.
The degree of birth defect in a baby is dependent on the affected body part and the degree to which it is affected. The more severe the birth defect, the more severe the problems.
The majority of birth defects are caused either by genes or the environment during fetal development. The risk of having birth defects can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history with genes and health issues and speaking with a genetic counselor and following the prenatal care guidelines.
Structural birth defects alter how a particular part of the body appears or performs. They can range from visible like cleft lips and cleft palate, but also the invisible, like metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Genetic disorders that are inherited are a type of structural birth defect, while environmental factors such as a lack of folic acid can cause neural tube defects, which can result in the brain or spinal cord not developing correctly.
Find More Evidence Than You Think
There are a number of medical procedures that pregnant women can undergo to learn more about a potential birth defect. Amniocentesis is a prime example, where a healthcare provider takes small amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct testing. This test can reveal chromosomal changes and other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) 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 vital in finding out the reason for birth defect. They also aid in determining the severity of the birth defect is and the impact it will have on a child in their adulthood.
Some birth defects may not be recognized at the time of birth or, in some rare cases, even as an adult. These issues aren't easily detected when they occur and are sometimes only detected by using equipment for diagnosing. In these cases the medical expert witness must be familiar with the technology and have the knowledge and experience required to be able identify these issues. A lawyer who has years of experience will be able to determine the most appropriate specialist for your case.
Employ an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice
When a child is born with a severe
birth defect attorneys defect or suffers from a severe birth injury, it can completely turn a family's world upside down. These injuries can cause long-lasting physical and emotional problems which often require the need for a lifetime of medical treatment.
While medical science can identify the root causes of around 30 percent of birth defects others remain a mystery. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances, like those found in prescription or over-the-counter medicines taken by mothers or in toxic chemicals found in the community and in homes or in groundwater that has been contaminated with air can cause birth defects.
Doctors are required to evaluate the medication taken by an expectant mother and inform her of any possible risks to the baby. If they fail to perform this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects caused by medication.
Doctors must also evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, and any other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using this equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could have serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered malpractice. It is important to contact a medical malpractice lawyer immediately in the event of this happening. In some states, you're given only one year to file a
lawsuit for medical malpractice which is why it's important to start the process as soon as you can.
Begin by completing the first Step
Birth defects are the most common cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These issues can be life-threatening and can trigger lasting physical, cognitive and emotional problems. In some cases, scientists have identified the causes as a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, toxins accumulated in the environment, maternal infections, complications associated with pregnancy and birth or a family medical history (like genetic illnesses such as sickle cell disease, PKU). However, in a majority of all birth defect cases the cause is not known.
Some birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot are easy to see and can be detected either at birth or during the first year of a child's life. Others, such as heart problems or intellectual and developmental disabilities aren't as easy to identify and require specialized tests.
Researchers are trying to determine the root of birth defects, and how they can be avoided. For example women who smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chances of having a child with a defect. Women who have an inherited family history of genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.