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What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing any expecting parent would like to hear: their child may be born with a defect. These defects can be caused by things that happen during growing up and could affect the physical or mental health of your child.

Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be used by a doctor to determine the presence of certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects may only be identified after the birth of your child or if symptoms are evident.

What was the cause of your child's error?

The cause of many birth defects is not known. There are a few factors that could increase the likelihood of the mother having a child with a birth defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, having a family member with a birth defect or having certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestral history of these diseases are advised to speak with an expert in genetic counseling prior to becoming pregnant.

The degree to which a birth defect causes serious issues or not is dependent on which body part is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. The more severe the defect is and the more serious the problem will be.

Most birth defects are caused through genetics or Vimeo environmental factors during fetal growth. The risk of having a birth defect can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history with genes and health issues or talking to a genetic counselor, and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural birth defects alter how a specific part of the body looks or works. They can range from the visible, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, up to the invisible, like chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations may be a sign of birth defects that are structural. Environmental causes, such as the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that result in the development of the spinal cord or brain not functioning properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures pregnant women can undergo to determine potential birth defects. Amniocentesis is one of them, that involves a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. This test can reveal chromosomal defects, as well other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test a fetus' blood as well as amniotic fluid and the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are vital in determining the cause of a birth defect. They can also help determine how severe a birth defect could be and the effect it may have on a child in their adulthood.

However, some birth defects can remain unnoticed until a child is born or, in rare instances, even as an adult. This is because the conditions are not detectable until they are present and can sometimes only be identified with the use of diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be familiar with the technology and have the training necessary to identify these issues. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer can help you identify the appropriate specialist for your particular case.

Hire an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

If a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a devastating birth injury, it can completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and mental challenges and require medical treatment for the rest of his life.

Although medical science has been able to identify the causes of about 30 percent of baytown birth defect lawsuit defects others remain a mystery. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances such as those found in prescription or over the counter medications that mothers take, toxic chemicals in the community and in homes, or contaminated groundwater and air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to examine a pregnant mother's current medications, and advise her of any possible dangers to the fetus. If they fail to perform this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defect lawyer defects caused by medication.

Doctors also have a responsibility to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. It could be a serious risk for a newborn baby when a doctor uses the equipment in a negligent manner or does not calibrate it properly. This is considered to be malpractice. If this occurs it's crucial to consult a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can. In some states, you only have one year to file a medical negligence case, so the faster you begin the process the better.

Take the First Step

Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies born every year, and are a leading cause of infant mortality. These issues could be life-threatening, and can lead to long-term physical, cognitive and emotional problems. Scientists have, in some instances, connected the birth defects' causes to exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines or environmental toxins, as well as maternal infections, complications during the birth and pregnancy and medical history of the family, or Vimeo genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic diseases). In about 70% of cases, Vimeo the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects, such as hearing loss or clubfoot, are easy to see and can be identified at birth or in the first year of a child's life. Certain birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and development disabilities, require special tests to be identified.

Researchers are trying to figure out what can cause birth defects and how them may be prevented. For example women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the risk of having a baby with certain defects. Women with a family history of inheritance genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and then share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.