What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent would like to be told is that their child may have a deridder birth defect lawyer defect. These problems are caused by things that happen in the fetal period and can affect your child's physical or mental health.

A medical professional can detect birth defects during pregnancy with the prenatal test or newborn screening. However other birth defects could not be detected until after the birth of your child or later when they develop symptoms.

What is the cause of your child's deformity?

Many birth defects are not known. There are some things that can increase the risk of a woman having a child with a birth defect. These include using drugs or taking certain medications prior to the birth, having a relative with birth defects or certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women with an history of these conditions should speak with an expert in genetic counseling about their options prior to becoming pregnant.

The degree to which a birth defect can cause serious health issues or not depends on the body part that is affected and how much of the body part is affected. Usually, the more severe the defect is and the more serious the problems will be.

Most birth defects are caused through genetics or environmental factors during fetal development. The chance of developing a birth defect can be reduced by learning about your family's history of genes and health issues by speaking to an expert on genetics and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how an element of your body appears or functions. They vary from the obvious like cleft lip and cleft palate, up to the invisible, like chromosome disorders or sellersburg Birth defect attorney metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations could be a form of birth defects with structural causes. Environmental causes, such as an absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that result in the development of the spinal cord or brain not being correct.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are a number of medical procedures a pregnant woman can undergo to determine potential birth defects. Amniocentesis is one of them, which involves a healthcare provider taking a small sample of fetal fluid for analysis. This test could reveal chromosomal anomalies and other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test the blood of a fetus, amniotic fluid and even the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are essential in determining the root of birth defects. They also help determine the severity of a birth defect and its effects on a child's life.

Some Sellersburg birth defect attorney defects may not be identified until after the birth of a child or, in a few instances, even as an adult. This is due to the fact that these problems are not easily identified until they are present, and are often recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness involved is familiar with these technologies and has the appropriate training to be able to detect these flaws. A lawyer who has years of experience will be able to determine the best expert for your case.

Find a Medical Malpractice Attorney

When a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a severe birth injury, it can completely turn the world of a family upside down. These injuries can cause long-lasting physical and emotional issues, often requiring a lifetime of medical care.

Medical science can explain about 30 percent of birth defects, but many others are still unknown. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, including those that are found in prescription and over-the-counter medicines that mothers are prescribed or the toxic chemicals at the heart of some communities and homes, as well as contaminated air and groundwater.

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

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray equipment, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a baby when a doctor uses the equipment in error or does not calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. It's important to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer immediately if this happens. In certain states, you have only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice and it's recommended to begin the process as soon as possible.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect one in 33 babies born each year, and are a major reason for infant death. These conditions could be life-threatening and result in a variety of long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical issues. In some instances, researchers have identified the cause to be a mother's exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medicines, toxins that are found in the environment or in the maternal environment, as well as complications of pregnancy and birth or a medical history in the family (like genetic diseases like sickle cell diseases or PKU). However, in the majority of birth defects cases the causes are not clear.

Some birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easy to spot and are easily diagnosed either at birth or during the first year of a child's existence. Certain birth defects, such as heart defects, intellectual and development disabilities, require tests specific to detect.

Researchers are trying determine what causes birth defects and how they can be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs while pregnant are more likely to having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of inherited genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to be pregnant. They should also use the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information about medical conditions that can be found in their families and share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.