What Causes a Birth Defect?

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

A medical professional can detect birth defects during pregnancy by using the prenatal test or newborn screening. However other birth defects could not be diagnosed until after the baby is born or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

Many birth defects are not known. However there are several things that can increase the likelihood of having a child born with a defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to the birth, having a family member that has a birth defect or having certain medical conditions like rheumatic heart disease. Women with a family history of these diseases are advised to speak with an expert in genetic counseling prior to getting pregnant.

Whether a child's birth defect causes serious problems or not will depend on the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part affected. The more severe the defect is, the more severe the problem will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal development. The risk of having birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history with health issues and genes, talking to an expert in genetic counseling and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth defects alter how a part of the body appears or performs. They vary from the obvious like cleft lips and cleft palate to the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome problems. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations can be a type of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, such as a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord and brain not working as intended.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are several medical procedures pregnant women undergo to discover more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis is one example, in which a healthcare professional takes an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus to conduct analysis. This procedure could reveal chromosomal variations and other health conditions such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test a fetus' blood or amniotic fluid as well as the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are crucial in diagnosing the root of birth defects. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its effects on a child's adult life.

However some birth defect attorneys defects can go undetected until a baby is born, or in rare cases, as an adult. This is because these conditions aren't easily detected until they are present and are often recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the techniques and the necessary training to recognize the defects. A medical malpractice lawyer with years of experience will be able to determine the right specialist for your case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Attorney

A child born with a severe defect or a severe birth injury can completely change the life of families. These injuries can cause long-term physical and mental issues that require medical attention for the rest of their lives.

Medical science is able to explain approximately 30% of birth defect cases however, many other cases are still a mystery. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances, such as those in prescription or over the counter medications taken by a mother or children, harmful chemicals in communities and homes, or contaminated groundwater and air may cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to review the pregnant mother's current medications and inform her about any dangers for the baby. If they fail in this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to evaluate 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 to correctly calibrate the equipment, it could result in serious consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. If this happens you should consult a medical malpractice attorney as quickly as you can. In certain states, you have only one year to file a medical malpractice case, so the faster you start the process, the more favorable.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects are the leading reason for infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. The conditions can be life-threatening and can cause a myriad of physical, emotional and cognitive difficulties. Scientists have, in some instances, identified the birth defects' causes due to exposure of the mother to prescription and over-the-counter medications and environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and birth or a family medical history or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic illnesses). However, in approximately 70% of all birth defect cases the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects are easily evident and can be found at birth or within the first year. Certain birth defects, such as heart defects, developmental and intellectual disabilities, require tests specific to detect.

Researchers are trying to figure out what causes birth defects and how they can be prevented. For instance women who smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chances of having a child with certain defects. Women who have a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should think about seeing a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. They could also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data about medical conditions that can be traced through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.