What Causes a Birth Defect?
The last thing any expecting parent wants to learn is that their child may have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by factors that occur in the fetal period and can affect your child's mental or physical health.
A doctor can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy by using prenatal testing or newborn screening. However other birth defects might not be detected until after your child's birth or later, when they begin to show symptoms.
What caused your child's deficiency?
The reason for numerous birth defects remains unclear. There are a few factors that could increase the likelihood of a woman having a child with a
birth defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, having a relative with birth defects or certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart 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 is contingent on the body part that is affected and how much is affected. The more severe a birth defect, the greater the severity of the issues.
The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal development. The chance of developing birth defects is reduced by knowing about your family's history with health issues and genes or talking to an expert on genetics and following the guidelines for prenatal care.
Structural birth imperfections are those that alter how a specific part of the body appears or performs. They can range from the visible such as cleft lips and cleft palate to the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorder. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a type of structural birth defect, while environmental factors, such as the lack of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the spinal cord or the brain not developing properly.
Find More Evidence Than You Think
There are several medical procedures that pregnant women can undergo to determine a potential birth defect. Amniocentesis is a prime example, where a healthcare provider takes small amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct examination. This procedure can reveal chromosomal abnormalities as well as other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.
A doctor can also test the blood of a fetus, amniotic fluid and even the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are crucial to determining the cause of birth defects. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its effect on the adult life of a child.
Some
birth defect lawyers defects may not be identified until after the birth of a child or, in some rare cases, even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable before they are present and can be detected through diagnostic equipment. For these types of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness in question is familiar with these technologies and has the right experience to spot these issues. A lawyer who has experience should be able identify the most appropriate specialist for your case.
Hire an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice
A child born with a severe defect or severe birth injury can alter the life of the family. These injuries can lead to long-term physical and mental issues that require medical attention for the rest of their lives.
Although medical science has been able to identify the causes of 30% of birth defects, others remain a mystery. Research has revealed 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 homes and communities as well as contaminated groundwater and air, can cause birth defects.
Doctors have a duty to examine a pregnant mother's current medications, and advise her of any potential risks to the fetus. If they fail to meet this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medications.
Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety of any procedure or device they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical tools, as well as other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a baby's health in the event that a physician uses the equipment in a negligent manner or fails to calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. If this happens it's crucial to seek out a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. In certain states, you have only one year to file a case for medical malpractice which is why it's important to start the process as soon as you can.
Start with the First Step
Birth defects affect one out of 33 babies born every year, and are a major reason for infant death. These issues could be life-threatening, and can result in long-term physical, cognitive and emotional difficulties. In some instances, scientists have identified the causes as a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, toxins found in the environment and maternal infections, the complications of pregnancy and delivery, or family medical history (like genetic illnesses, sickle cell disease or PKU). In about 70% of cases, the reason is unknown.
Certain birth defects are easily evident and can be found when a baby is born or in the first year. Others, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, aren't as easy to identify and require tests of a different kind.
Researchers are trying to figure out the root of birth defects, and how they can be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs when pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child born with certain defects. Women with a family history of inherited genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information regarding medical conditions that run in their families and discuss it with their doctor or genetic counselor.