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What Causes a Birth Defect?

It’s the last thing that an expecting parents wants to hear: Their child could be born with a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by things that happen 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 defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects could only be detected after the birth of your child or when symptoms begin to appear.

What is the cause of your child’s deformity?

Many birth defects remain unknown. However there are several factors that can increase a woman’s risk of having a baby with a defect. These include using drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a family member with a birth defect or having certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women who have an ancestral history of these disorders are advised to speak with a genetic counsellor before getting pregnant.

The extent to which a birth defect in a child can cause serious health issues or not is contingent upon the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. Typically, the more severe the defect is, the more severe the issues will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal development. The risk of having birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family’s history of health and genetic issues, talking to a genetic counselor and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural birth defects are those that change how a part of the body appears or works. They can be visible, like cleft lips or cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic conditions. Inherited genetic conditions may be a sign of birth defects that are structural. Environmental factors, for instance, a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that result in the development of the spinal cord and brain not functioning properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to determine the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis, for instance, is in which a healthcare professional takes small amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct testing. This test could reveal chromosomal variations and other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic abnormalities.

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 in diagnosing the root of birth defect. They can also determine the extent of the birth defect and its effect on the adult life of a child.

However certain birth defects could be unnoticed until the baby is born or, in rare instances, even as an adult. These problems aren’t visible when they first appear and are usually only detected through diagnostic equipment. In these cases the medical expert witness must be familiar with the latest technologies and possess the knowledge and experience required to recognize these issues. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney should be able to identify the right expert for your particular case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a serious birth injury, it could completely turn a family’s world upside down. These injuries can cause lifelong physical and mental challenges and require medical treatment for a lifetime.

Medical science can explain about 30 percent of birth defects however, many other cases are still unsolved. Research has proven that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medication that mothers take, the toxic chemicals at play in certain communities and in homes, or the contaminating air and groundwater.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the dosage of medication taken by an expectant mother and inform her of any possible dangers to the fetus. If they fail to perform this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety and efficacy of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray equipment, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment or fails properly calibrate the equipment, it could result in serious consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. If this happens it is important to consult a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you can. In some states, you have only a single year to file a medical negligence claim, so the earlier you start the process the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

Birth Defect Attorney defects affect 1 of 33 babies born each year and are a leading cause of infant death. These conditions can be life-threatening, and can result in permanent physical, cognitive and emotional problems. In some instances, scientists have identified the cause to be a mother’s exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, toxins accumulated in the environment and maternal infections, the complications of pregnancy and delivery or a family medical history (like genetic illnesses, sickle cell disease or PKU). In the majority of cases, the cause is not known.

Certain birth defects, like hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to detect and can be identified from birth or within the first year of a child’s existence. Others, like heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, aren’t as obvious and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are trying determine the causes of birth defect lawsuits defects and how they can be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or consume illegal substances while pregnant are at greater risk of having a child born with certain defects. Women with a family history involving inherited genetic disorders may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to be pregnant. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data about medical conditions that run in their families and share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.