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What Causes a Birth Defect?

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

A doctor can detect birth defects during pregnancy with newborn screening or prenatal tests. However other birth defects could not be detected until after the baby is born or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

Many birth defects are not known. There are certain factors that can increase the risk of pregnant women having children with birth defect. Some of these include taking certain medications or drugs before getting pregnant or having an ancestral history of birth defects or having medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women with an ancestry of these disorders should talk to an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior getting pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a child varies on the affected body part and how much is affected. The more severe a birth defect, the more serious the issues.

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal development. The chance of developing a birth defect is reduced by knowing about your family's history with health issues and genes by speaking to an expert in genetic counseling and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way a part of your body looks or functions. They may be visible like cleft lips, Cleft palettes, but also invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic conditions. Genetic disorders that are inherited can be a type of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental causes, such as the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that lead to brain or spinal cord development not functioning properly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures pregnant mothers may undergo to find out more about the possibility of a birth defect. One of these is amniocentesis that involves a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid to test. This test could reveal chromosomal variations and other health conditions such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the amniotic fluid, blood and the tissues of a fetus for signs of a birth defect. These tests are essential to finding out the reason for birth defect. They can also help determine how severe the birth defect could be and the impact it will be having on a child's the years to come.

However some birth defects can remain unnoticed until a child is born, or in rare instances, even as an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent when they occur and can be detected with diagnostic equipment. In these instances the medical expert witness must be conversant with the latest technologies and possess the necessary training to be able to spot these defects. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer will be able to identify the most appropriate expert for your particular case.

Employ an attorney for Medical Malpractice

A child born with a serious defect or birth injury can alter the life of the family. These injuries can cause long-term physical and mental issues and require medical treatment for the rest of his life.

birth defect attorneys louisville may explain around 30% of birth defect cases However, the majority of cases remain a mystery. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances, such as those in prescription or over-the-counter medications taken by a mother and toxic chemicals found in the community and in homes or groundwater that is contaminated air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to assess an expectant mother's current medications and inform her of any risks for the embryo. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of any equipment or procedure they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a baby in the event that a physician uses the equipment in error or does not calibrate it correctly. This is considered to be malpractice. It is crucial to contact a medical negligence lawyer immediately should this happen. In certain states, you are only allowed a single year to file a medical malpractice case, so the faster you begin the process, the better.





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Birth defects are the leading cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. The condition can be life-threatening and lead to many long term physical, emotional and cognitive issues. Scientists have, in some instances, linked the causes of birth defects to exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs as well as environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during delivery and pregnancy, family medical history, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic diseases). However, in the majority of birth defects cases the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects are easily evident and can be found either at birth or during the first year. Some birth defects, such as heart defects, intellectual and development disabilities, require tests specific to determine the cause.

Researchers are working to understand the causes of birth defects and how some of them may be prevented. For example women who smoke or drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chance of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to speak with a genetic counselor prior to trying to have a baby. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and then share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.