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What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent wants to be told is that their child may have a birth defect. These pelham birth defect attorney defects are caused by events that occur during growing up and could affect the physical or mental health of your child.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be used by a health professional to detect certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other birth defects might not be diagnosed until after the baby is born or later when they develop symptoms.

What is the reason for your child’s defect?

The causes of many birth defects is not known. There are a few factors which can increase the chances of the mother having a child with a birth defect. These include using drugs or taking certain medications before pregnancy, a history of having a family member that has a bryan birth defect lawsuit defect or having certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women with an established history of these diseases should talk to an expert in genetic counseling about their options prior to becoming pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a child varies on the affected body part and the extent to which it is affected. The more serious a birth defect is, the greater the severity of the problems.

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal development. The risk of having birth defects is reduced by knowing about your family’s history of health and genetic issues, talking to an expert on genetics and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way an element of your body appears or performs. They may be visible, like cleft lips, Vimeo Cleft palettes, but also invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic disorders. Inherited genetic conditions can be a type of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental causes, such as a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects, which result in the development of the spinal cord or brain not functioning properly.

Gather More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures pregnant mothers can undergo in order to discover more about a possible birth defect. One example is amniocentesis, which entails a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure can reveal chromosomal modifications and other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also examine the fetus’s blood as well as amniotic fluid and the tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are essential to determining the cause of birth defects. They also help determine the severity of a birth defect and its effects on a child’s life.

However, some birth defects can be missed until a baby is born, or in rare cases, an adult. These problems aren’t visible prior to their onset and are usually only detected with diagnostic equipment. In these instances the medical expert witness must be familiar with the latest technologies and possess the necessary training to be able identify these issues. A medical malpractice lawyer with expertise should be able to pinpoint the right specialist for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a severe birth injury, it could completely turn a family’s life upside down. These injuries can cause permanent physical and mental problems needing medical attention for the rest of their lives.

Medical science is able to explain approximately 30% of birth defect cases but the rest are still unknown. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances such as those in prescription or over the counter medications taken by a mother, toxic chemicals in communities and homes or groundwater that is contaminated air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to review the pregnant mother’s current medications, and advise her about any risks for the baby. If they fail to fulfill this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects caused by medications.

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and efficacy 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 properly calibrate the equipment, it could lead to serious consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. It is important to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer immediately when this happens. In some states you have only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice and it’s recommended to start the process as soon as you can.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect 1 of 33 babies born each year, and are a leading cause of infant mortality. These conditions can be life-threatening and can result in long-term physical, cognitive and emotional problems. In some cases, scientists have connected the causes to mother’s exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, toxins in the environment and maternal infections, the complications associated with pregnancy and birth or family medical history (like genetic illnesses like sickle cell diseases or PKU). In around 70% of cases, the reason is unknown.

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

Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how they can be prevented. For instance, women who smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chances of having a child with a defect. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information regarding medical conditions that run in their families and then share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.