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What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing any expectant parent wants to hear: their child may be born with a defect. These defects are caused by factors that occur during the development of the fetus and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be utilized by a doctor to identify certain birth defect law firm defects during pregnancy. Other birth defects could only be identified after your child's birth or when symptoms begin to appear.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

Many birth defects are not known. However there are several factors that can increase a woman's risk of having a child with a defect. Some of these include using certain medications or taking certain drugs prior to becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects, or having medical conditions like rheumatic disease. Women with a family background of these disorders are advised to consult a genetic counselor prior to becoming pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a child depends on the body part that is affected and how severe the damage. The more severe the birth defect, the more severe the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the development of the fetus. You can lower the risk of a birth defect speaking with a genetic counselor as well as learning about the health background of your family, and talking with geneticists.

Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way the body looks or functions. They may be visible, like cleft lips or Cleft palettes, or they can be invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic disorders. Inherited genetic conditions may be a sign of birth defects that are structural. Environmental factors, such as a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that result in brain or spinal cord development not functioning as it should.

Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are a variety of medical procedures that a pregnant woman is able to undergo in order to determine the cause of the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis is one of them, defect which entails a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure can reveal chromosomal defects, as well other health conditions, such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the blood, amniotic liquid and the tissues of a fetus for signs of a birth defect. These tests are crucial in determining the causes of birth defects. They can also determine the degree of a birth defect and its effects on a child's future.

However certain birth defects may be unnoticed until the baby is born or, in rare instances, when an adult. This is because these conditions are not detectable until they have been identified, and may only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness involved is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the right knowledge to identify such defects. An experienced medical malpractice attorney will be able to identify the right expert for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a severe defect or a severe birth injury can drastically alter the life of the family. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and emotional problems which often require the need for a lifetime of medical treatment.

Medical science could explain up to 30% of birth defect cases but the rest remain unsolved. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, such as those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medication that mothers take or the toxic chemicals at working in some communities and homes, or in contaminated air and groundwater.

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 caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of any equipment or procedure they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses the equipment or fails correctly calibrate the equipment, it could cause grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered malpractice. When this happens it's crucial to seek out a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can. In certain states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical malpractice claim, so the earlier you begin the process, the better.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the primary cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These conditions are life-threatening, and can lead to lasting physical, cognitive and emotional problems. In some instances, researchers have identified the cause to be a mother's exposure to prescription or non-prescription medicines, toxins that are found in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications of pregnancy and birth, or medical history of the family (like genetic illnesses, sickle cell disease or PKU). However, in approximately 70% of all birth defects the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easily identifiable and can be detected from birth or within the first year of a child's life. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, are not as easy to identify and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are working to understand what can cause birth defects and how some of they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or consume illegal substances while pregnant are at greater risk of having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult with a genetic counselor prior to trying to have a baby. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data about medical conditions that can be found in their families and share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.