What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent would like to hear is that their child might have a birth deformity. These problems are caused by things that occur during the development of the fetus and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

A health professional is able to detect some red Bluff birth defect Lawyer defects during pregnancy by using prenatal testing or newborn screening. Other birth defects can be discovered only after your child's birth or when symptoms are evident.

What was the reason for your child's deformity?

Many birth defects are not known. However, there are a few things that can increase the chance of having a child born with defects. These include using drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, having a relative with a birth defect or having certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestry of these disorders should speak with a genetic counselor about their options prior getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child is contingent on the affected body part and the extent to which it is affected. The more serious a birth defect is, the more serious the issues.

Most birth defects are caused either by genetics or the environment during fetal growth. You can reduce your risk of developing a kennewick birth defect law firm defect by consulting with a genetic counsellor or a health professional, gaining knowledge about the history of your family, and speaking with geneticists.

Structural birth defects alter the way a part of your body appears or works. They may be visible, such as cleft lips and Cleft palettes, or they can be invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a kind of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors, such as a lack of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the brain or spinal cord not developing correctly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures a pregnant woman can undergo to determine a potential birth defect. Amniocentesis can be one of them, which is when a healthcare professional collects small amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct examination. This test could reveal chromosomal variations in addition to other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test a fetus' blood as well as amniotic fluid and the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are crucial to determining the causes of birth defects. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its effect on a child's life.

However certain birth defects may go undetected until a baby is born, or in rare instances, even as an adult. This is due to the fact that these conditions are not detectable until they become apparent, and often can only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness in question is well-versed in these technologies and has the appropriate knowledge to spot these issues. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer can help you 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 devastating birth injury, it can completely turn a family's lives upside down. These injuries can lead to long-term physical and mental issues and require medical treatment for the rest of their lives.

Medical science can explain about 30 percent of birth defect cases however, many other cases remain unsolved. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances like those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications that mothers take or children, harmful chemicals in communities and homes as well as contaminated groundwater and air can cause birth defects.

Doctors have a duty to evaluate the mother's current medications, and advise her of any possible risks for the fetus. If they fail to meet this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and efficacy of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines surgical instruments, and other equipment. It could be a serious risk for a newborn baby if a doctor uses the equipment in error or does not calibrate it properly. This would be considered medical malpractice. If this happens it's crucial to seek out a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you can. In some states, you're only given one year to file a medical negligence claim, so the earlier you begin the process, the better.

Begin by completing the first Step

Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies born every year and are the most common cause of infant death. These conditions can be life-threatening and can lead to many long term physical, emotional and cognitive challenges. In some instances, researchers have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medicines, toxins that are found in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications associated with pregnancy and birth or medical history of the family (like genetic diseases, sickle cell disease or PKU). In around 70% of cases, the reason is unknown.

Certain birth defects are easily evident and can be found at birth or within the first year of life. Some birth defects, like heart defects, intellectual and developmental disabilities, require specific tests to identify.

Researchers are attempting to determine the causes of birth defects and how some of they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or take illegal drugs when pregnant are at greater risk of having a child born with certain defects. Women who have an inherited family history of genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes Family Health Form to collect information on medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.