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What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a new parent would like to hear is that their child may have a birth deformity. These issues may be caused by a variety of circumstances that occur during fetal growth and legal can affect the physical or mental health of your child.

A medical professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy by using prenatal testing or newborn screening. Other birth defects can only be detected after the birth of your child or if symptoms start to show.

What caused your child's deformity?

Many birth defects remain unknown. However there are a few factors that can increase the risk of having a baby with defects. These include taking prescription drugs or taking certain medications before pregnancy, a history of having a family member who has birth defects or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women who have a family history of these disorders are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling prior to becoming pregnant.

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

Most birth defects are caused by genes or environment during fetal growth. The chance of developing birth defects is reduced by knowing about your family's history of health and genetic issues and speaking with a genetic counselor, and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way a part of your body looks or performs. They can be visible, like cleft lips or cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic disorders. Genetic disorders that are inherited are a kind of structural birth defect while environmental factors such as the lack of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that can result in the spinal cord or brain not developing properly.

Get More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are a number of medical procedures that pregnant women can undergo to find out more about a potential birth defect. Amniocentesis can be one of them, which is when a healthcare professional collects a small sample of fluid from the fetus to conduct testing. This test may reveal chromosomal mutations, as well as other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor can also test a fetus' blood or amniotic fluid as well as the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are crucial to determining the causes of birth defects. They can also assist in determining how severe a birth defect could be and the consequences it could be having on a child's his or her adult life.

However some birth defects can be missed until a baby is born or, in rare instances, even as an adult. These conditions aren't easily detected until they have been identified, and often can only be recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these situations, it is essential that the medical expert witness in question is familiar with these techniques and has the correct experience to recognize these defects. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer should be able to identify the most appropriate expert for your case.

Find a Medical Malpractice Attorney

A child born with a serious defect or birth injury can completely change the life of the family. These injuries can cause lasting physical and mental health challenges needing medical attention for the rest of their lives.

While medical science can identify the root causes of around 30 percent of birth defects, others remain a mystery. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, for example those that are found in prescription and over-the-counter medication that mothers take, the toxic chemicals at the heart of some communities and homes, or in contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the medication used by the expecting mother and inform her of any potential risks for the embryo. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they can be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors also have the responsibility to evaluate the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a baby when a doctor uses the equipment improperly or does not calibrate it properly. This would be considered malpractice. When this happens you should contact a medical negligence lawyer as soon as you can. In certain states, you have only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice therefore it's best to start the process as soon as you can.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These issues are life-threatening, and can lead to long-term physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. Researchers have in a few instances connected the birth defects' causes in mothers' exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and birth or a family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic diseases). In around 70% of cases, the cause is not known.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot are easy to spot 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, are not as easy to identify and require special tests.

Researchers are trying determine the cause of birth defects and how they can be avoided. For example smoking and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their risk of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women with a family history that involves inherited genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to conceive. They should also utilize 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 genetic counselor.