What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing that any expecting parent wants to be told is that their child may be born with a deformity. These issues may be caused by a variety of the pregnancy and can impact the mental or physical health of your child.

A doctor can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy with the prenatal test or newborn screening. Other birth defects can only be identified after the birth of your child or if symptoms are evident.

What is the reason for your child's defect?

Many birth defects are not known. There are certain factors that could increase the likelihood of the mother having a child with a birth defect. Some of these include taking drugs or certain medications prior to becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects or having medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women with a history of these disorders are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling about their options before getting pregnant.

The extent to which a birth defect in a child causes serious issues or not depends on which body part is affected and the extent of the body part affected. The more severe the defect it, the more serious the problem will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during fetal development. The chance of developing birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history of genes and health issues by speaking to a genetic counselor and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how an area of your body appears or functions. They can be obvious, like cleft lips and Cleft palettes, but also invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations may be a sign of birth defects with structural causes. Environmental factors, for instance, a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects, which result in the development of the spinal or newport beach birth Defect lawyer brain not functioning as it should.

Gather More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are several medical procedures a pregnant woman can undergo to find out more about potential newport beach birth defect lawyer - https://vimeo.com/, defects. Amniocentesis is one example, which is when a healthcare professional collects tiny amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct testing. This test may reveal chromosomal irregularities as well as other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also examine the blood of a fetus amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are essential in determining the cause of birth defects. They can also assist in determining how severe the birth defect could be and the effects it could have on a child in their adult life.

Certain birth defects may not be discovered until after the birth of a baby or, in rare instances, even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable until they have been identified, and often can only be recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the appropriate training to be able to spot these issues. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney will be able to identify the most appropriate expert for your case.

Find an attorney for Medical Malpractice

A child born with a serious defect or severe birth injury can completely change the life of a family. These injuries can cause lasting physical and mental health challenges, requiring medical care for a lifetime.

While medical science can identify the causes of about 30% of birth defects, others remain a mystery. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances, like those found in prescription or over the counter medications that mothers take, toxic chemicals in the homes and communities as well as contaminated groundwater and air can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the medication used by an expectant mother and inform her of any possible risks to the fetus. If they fail to perform this obligation, Newport Beach Birth Defect Lawyer they could be held liable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to assess the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x ray equipment, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using the equipment, or fails to correctly calibrate the equipment, it could cause serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered malpractice. It's important to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can should this happen. In certain states, you're only given one year to file a medical negligence claim, so the earlier you start the process the more favorable.

Take the First Step

Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies born each year, and are a major cause of infant mortality. These issues can be life-threatening, and can trigger long-term physical, cognitive and emotional difficulties. In some instances, scientists have identified the cause to be a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the counter medications, toxins found in the environment, maternal infections, complications associated with pregnancy and birth or family medical history (like genetic illnesses, sickle cell disease or PKU). In about 70% of cases, the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects are easily detectable and can be identified when a baby is born or in the first year of life. Some birth defects, like heart defects, intellectual and development disabilities, require tests specific to detect.

Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how some of them may be prevented. For instance women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chance of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to conceive. They could also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.