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What Causes a birth defect Law firms Defect?

The last thing that any expecting parent would like to hear is that their child could have a birth deformity. These problems are caused by events that occur during growing up and could affect the mental or physical health of your child.

Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be used by a health professional to diagnose certain birth defects during pregnancy. However other birth defects could not be discovered until after your child is born or later when they develop symptoms.

What Caused Your Child’s Defect?

The reason for many birth defects remains unknown. There are a few factors that can increase the risk of the mother having a child with birth defect. One of them is taking certain medications or drugs prior to becoming pregnant, having an ancestral history of birth defects, or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have an history of these conditions should consult a genetic counselor about their options before getting pregnant.

The extent to which a birth defect in a child causes serious issues or not depends on the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part affected. Usually, the more severe the defect then the more severe the problems will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused either by genes or environment during fetal growth. The chance of developing a birth defect can be reduced by learning about your family’s history of health issues and genes or talking to an expert in genetic counseling and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how an element of your body appears or functions. They can be visible, like cleft lips or cleft palettes, or invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic disorders. Genetic disorders that are inherited may be a sign of birth defects with structural causes. Environmental causes, such as an absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord and brain not functioning as it should.

Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are several medical procedures that pregnant women can undergo to find out more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis is one example, in which a healthcare professional takes tiny amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct testing. This procedure may reveal chromosomal irregularities, as well other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic fluid, blood and fetus’s tissues for signs of birth defect. These tests are vital in diagnosing the root of a birth defect. They can also assist in determining how serious the birth defect could be and the impact it will be having on a child’s their adult life.

However some birth defects can be missed until a baby is born or, in rare instances, when an adult. This is due to the fact that these conditions aren’t easily detected until they are present, and often can only be recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness involved is well-versed in these technologies and has the appropriate education to spot these issues. An experienced medical malpractice attorney is able to determine the appropriate specialist for your particular case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers from a severe birth defect lawyer injury, it could completely turn a family’s world upside down. These injuries can create life-long physical and emotional problems which often require the need for a lifetime of medical treatment.

While medical science can identify the causes of about 30% of birth defects others remain unexplained. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, for example those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medication that mothers take as well as the toxic chemicals that play in certain communities and homes, or contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the medication taken by the expecting mother and inform her of any potential dangers to the embryo. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors also have a responsibility to determine the safety of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines surgical tools, and any other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a child should a doctor use the equipment in a negligent manner or does not calibrate it correctly. This would be considered to be malpractice. If this happens it’s crucial to seek out a medical malpractice attorney as quickly as you can. In certain states, you are only allowed a single year to file a medical malpractice claim, so the earlier you begin the process the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect one out of 33 babies born each year and are a major cause of infant death. These conditions can be life-threatening and lead to many long term mental, emotional and physical problems. Scientists have in a few cases connected the birth defects’ causes to the mother’s exposures to prescription and over-the-counter drugs or environmental toxins, as well as maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery and medical history of the family, or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic illnesses). However, in approximately 70% of all birth defects, the causes are unknown.

Certain birth defects are easily noticeable and can be detected when a baby is born or in the first year of life. Certain birth defect attorneys defects, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, require specific tests to be identified.

Researchers are trying to figure out what causes birth defects and how some of these can be avoided. Women who smoke, drink or consume illegal substances while pregnant are more likely to having a child born with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders that are inherited may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to be pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health Form to collect information about medical conditions that can be traced through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.