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What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing any expectant parent wants to hear: their child could be born with a birth defect. These birth defects may be caused by a variety of the growing up and could affect the physical or mental health of your child.

A health care provider can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy by using the prenatal test 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?

The cause of the majority of birth defects is still unknown. However there are a few factors that increase a woman's risk of having a child born with defects. One of them is taking certain medications or prescription drugs before becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects, or having medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women with an history of these conditions should talk to an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior to getting pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a child depends on the body part that is affected and how severe the damage. Usually, the more severe the defect is, the more severe the problems will be.

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





Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way an area of your body looks or performs. They may be visible like cleft lips and cleft palettes, or invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations can result in birth defects with structural causes. birth defect law firm louisiana , like a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that result in the development of the spinal cord or brain not being correct.

Get More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are a variety of medical procedures a pregnant mother is able to undergo in order to learn more about a possible birth defect. One example is amniocentesis, that involves a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid to test. This test can reveal chromosomal abnormalities as well as other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the blood, amniotic liquid and the tissues of a fetus to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are essential to determining the cause of a birth defect. They can also determine the severity of a birth defect and the impact it has on a child's life.

Some birth defects might not be identified at the time of birth or, in some rare cases, even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable when they occur and are usually only detected with equipment for diagnosing. In these cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness is familiar with these techniques and has the right experience to detect these flaws. A lawyer who has experience should be able to identify the right specialist for your case.

Employ an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

If a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a severe birth injury, it could completely turn a family's world upside down. These injuries can cause long-lasting physical and psychological challenges which often require ongoing medical treatment.

Although medical science has been able to identify the causes of 30 percent of birth defects, many others remain a mystery. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances, such as those found in prescription or over the counter medications taken by a mother, toxic chemicals in the homes and communities, or contaminated groundwater and air may cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to assess the medication taken by the expecting mother and inform her of any potential risks to the foetus. If they fail in their obligation, they could be held liable for birth defects that are 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 instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses the equipment, or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could have grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered malpractice. It is essential to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer as soon as you can should this happen. In certain states, you have only one year to file a medical negligence case, so the earlier you start the process, the better.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the primary cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies every year. The conditions can be life-threatening and can cause a myriad of mental, emotional and physical challenges. Scientists have in some cases identified the causes of birth defects in mothers' exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines as well as environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during delivery and pregnancy and family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic diseases). But in about 70% of all birth defects, the causes are unknown.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot are easy to spot and can be identified either at birth or during the first year of a child's life. Certain birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and development disabilities, require tests specific to be identified.

Researchers are trying to discover what causes birth defects and how they can be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs when pregnant are at greater risk of having a child with certain defects. Women who have an inherited family history of genetic disorders should consider seeing a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information about medical conditions that can be found in their families and discuss it with their doctor or genetic counselor.