20 Myths About Birth Defect Attorney: Dispelled

What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing that an expectant parent wants to hear: their child may be born with a defect. These problems can be caused by circumstances that occur during fetal growth and can affect the mental or physical health of your child.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be used by a health care provider to determine the presence of certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects can only be detected following the birth of your child or if symptoms are evident.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

The cause of numerous birth defects remains unclear. There are certain factors that could increase the likelihood of pregnant women having children with birth defect. Some of these include taking drugs or certain medications before getting pregnant, having an ancestral history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women who have a family history of these disorders are advised to consult a genetic counselor prior to becoming pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a baby is dependent on the body part that is affected and the extent to which it is affected. Usually, the more severe the defect is, the more severe the problems will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal development. You can reduce the chance of a birth deformity by consulting with a genetic counsellor or a health professional, gaining knowledge about the background of your family, and speaking with an expert in genetics.

Structural birth problems are those that alter how a part of the body appears or functions. They can range from the visible like cleft lip and cleft palate to the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome problems. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a kind of structural birth defect, while environmental factors such as the lack of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that result in the brain or spinal cord not developing correctly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are a variety of medical procedures pregnant women undergo to determine a potential birth defect. Amniocentesis, for instance, is which is when a healthcare professional collects an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for testing. This test can reveal chromosomal defects, as well other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test the blood of a fetus amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are crucial to determining the root of birth defects. They also aid in determining how severe a birth defect will be and the effects it could affect a child later in their adult life.

Some birth defects might not be identified at the time of birth or, in a few instances even after becoming an adult. These conditions are not detectable when they first appear and are usually only detected through equipment for diagnosing. In these instances the medical expert witness must be familiar with the latest technologies and possess the training necessary to be able identify the defects. A medical malpractice lawyer with expertise should be able to pinpoint the appropriate expert for your case.

Find an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

A child born with a severe defect or birth injury can completely change the life of families. These injuries can cause long-term physical and mental issues that require medical attention for a lifetime.

While medical science can identify the root causes of around 30 percent of birth defects others remain unsolved. 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 homes and communities as well as contaminated groundwater and air can cause birth defect lawyers defects.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the medication taken by a pregnant mother and inform her of any possible risks for the embryo. If they fail to meet this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to assess the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, northerngraceyouthcamp.org as well as other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment or fails properly calibrate the equipment, it could result in serious consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. If this happens it is important to consult a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you can. In some states, you have only a single year to file a medical negligence claim, so the earlier you start the process the more favorable.

Take the First Step

Birth defects affect 1 out of 33 babies born each year and are a major reason for infant death. These conditions could be life-threatening and cause long-term physical, emotional and cognitive problems. Scientists have in a few cases connected the causes of birth defects due to exposure of the mother to prescription and over-the-counter drugs, environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and birth, family medical history, or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic illnesses). In around 70% of cases, the reason is not known.

Certain birth defects are readily noticeable and can be detected either at birth or during the first year of life. Some birth defects, like heart defects, intellectual and developmental disabilities require special tests to identify.

Researchers are trying to determine the root of birth defects, and how they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or use illegal drugs while pregnant are at greater risk of having a child with certain defects. Women with a family history of inheritance genetic disorders should think about seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health Form to collect information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.