Schofieldbriggs1977

What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a expecting parent would like to learn is that their child could have a birth deformity. These birth defects can be caused by things that happen during pregnancy and can impact the physical or mental health of your child.





Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be utilized by a health professional to diagnose certain birth defects during pregnancy. However other birth defects might not be identified until after the baby is born or later when they develop symptoms.

What caused your child's deformity?

Many birth defects are not known. There are a few factors that can increase the risk of a woman having a child with birth defect. These include using drugs or taking certain medications before pregnancy, having a family member that has birth defects or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women with a family history of these diseases are advised to speak with an expert on genetics prior to getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child varies on the affected body part and how much is affected. The more severe the defect is and the more serious the problem will be.

Most birth defects are caused either by genetics or the environment during fetal growth. You can lessen the risk of a birth defect talking to a genetic counsellor, learning about the health background of your family, and speaking with the geneticist.

Structural birth defects are those that change how a particular part of the body looks or works. They may be visible, like cleft lips, cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Inherited genetic conditions can result in birth defects with structural causes. Environmental factors, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that result in the development of the spinal cord and brain not being correct.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo to discover more about the possibility of birth defects. One of these is amniocentesis which involves a medical professional taking a small sample of the fetal fluid to be tested. This test can reveal chromosomal modifications and other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

birth defect law firm corona can examine the amniotic liquid, blood and the fetus's tissues for signs of a birth defect. These tests are vital in finding out the reason for birth defects. They can also determine the severity of a birth defect and its effect on a child's adult life.

However certain birth defects could be missed until a baby is born or, in rare instances, when an adult. This is due to the fact that these issues are not readily apparent until they are present and are often recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness involved is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the appropriate education to recognize these defects. A lawyer who has years of experience will be able to determine the appropriate expert for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

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

While medical science can identify the underlying causes behind about 30% of birth defects, others remain unsolved. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, including those present in prescription or over the counter medications a mother takes as well as the toxic chemicals that working in some communities and in homes, or the contaminating groundwater and air.

Doctors have a duty to review the pregnant mother's current medications, and advise her of any potential dangers to the embryo. If they fail to meet this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors also have a duty to assess the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, and any other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a child in the event that a physician uses the equipment in error or does not calibrate it properly. This would be considered to be malpractice. In the event of this you should consult a medical malpractice attorney as quickly as you can. In some states, you have only one year to file a medical malpractice case, so the faster you start the process, the better.

Take the First Step

Birth defects affect one of 33 babies born each year, and are the most common cause of infant death. These issues can be life-threatening, and can lead to long-term physical, mental and emotional problems. Scientists have in a few cases connected the causes of birth defects in mothers' exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs or environmental toxins, as well as complications of motherhood, infections, pregnancy and delivery, family medical history, or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, or other genetic diseases). In about 70% of cases, the reason is unknown.

Certain birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easily identifiable and can be diagnosed from birth or within the first year of a child's life. Some birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, require tests specific to identify.

Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how they can be avoided. For instance, women who smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chances of having a child with certain birth defects. Women who have a family history of inherited genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to have a baby. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and discuss it with their doctor or genetic counselor.