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What Causes a Birth Defect?

It’s not something that any expectant parent wants to hear: their child may have a birth defect. These problems could be the result of events that occur during pregnancy and can impact the mental or physical health of your child.

Testing for prenatal and newborns can be utilized by a doctor to determine the presence of certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects may only be detected after the birth of your child or if symptoms start to show.

What Caused Your Child’s Defect?

Many birth defects remain undiscovered. However there are some factors that increase the likelihood of having a baby with defects. Some of these include using certain medications or st albans birth defect law firm taking certain drugs before becoming pregnant or having an ancestral history of birth defects, or having medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women who have an ancestry of these disorders should speak with a genetic counselor about their options prior to getting pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a baby is dependent on the affected body part and how much is affected. The more severe the marengo birth defect law firm defect the more severe the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal growth. You can reduce your risk of developing a birth defect by talking to 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 the way a part of your body appears or works. They may be visible like cleft lips, Cleft palettes, or they can be invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Genetically-inherited conditions can be a type of birth defects with structural causes. Environmental factors, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal cord or brain not functioning properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo to find out more about a possible birth defect. One of them is amniocentesis that involves a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid for testing. This procedure can reveal chromosomal changes and other health conditions like infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic abnormalities.

A doctor can also examine the fetus’s blood as well as amniotic fluid and the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are crucial in finding out the causes of birth defects. They can also determine the degree of a birth defect and its effects on a child’s life.

However certain birth defects may be missed until a baby is born or, in rare cases, an adult. These conditions aren’t easily detected until they become apparent, and are often diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the appropriate education to spot these issues. A lawyer who has experience should be able identify the most appropriate specialist for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a severe defect or birth injury can alter the life of families. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and psychological challenges, often requiring a lifetime of medical care.

Medical science can explain about 30 percent of birth defect cases However, the majority of cases are still unknown. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, including those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications that mothers use, the toxic chemicals at working in some 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 possible dangers for the embryo. If they fail to fulfill this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using the equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could have grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is important to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer immediately should this happen. In certain states, you have only one year to file a medical negligence case, so the faster you begin the process, the more favorable.

Begin by completing the first Step

Birth defects affect 1 out of 33 babies born every year, and are a major reason for infant death. These conditions can be life-threatening, and they can cause long-term physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. Researchers have in a few instances identified the causes of birth defects in mothers’ exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs or environmental toxins, as well as complications of motherhood, infections, the birth and pregnancy or a family medical history or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic illnesses). In around 70% of cases, the reason is not known.

Certain St albans birth defect law firm (Vimeo.com) defects are easily visible and can be detected at birth or in the first year. Others, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, aren’t as obvious and require specialized tests.

Researchers are trying to discover what can cause birth defects and how some of these can be avoided. For example smoking or drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the risk of having a baby with a defect. Women with a family history involving genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult with a genetic counselor before trying to be pregnant. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and discuss it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.