What Causes a Birth Defect?
It's the last thing an expecting parent would like to hear: Their child could be born with a birth defect. These problems are caused by circumstances that occur during fetal growth and can affect the physical or mental health of your child.
A medical professional is able to detect some
birth defect lawyer defects during pregnancy by using prenatal testing or newborn screening. Other birth defects could only be detected after the birth of your child,
lawsuit or after symptoms begin to appear.
What caused your child's asymmetry?
The cause of numerous birth defects remains unclear. However there are some things that increase the likelihood of having a baby born with a defect. One of them is taking drugs or certain medications prior to becoming pregnant or having an ancestral history of birth defects or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women with a family history of these conditions are advised to consult an expert on genetics prior to getting pregnant.
The severity of a birth defect in a baby is dependent on the affected body part and the extent to which it is affected. The more severe a birth defect, the more serious the problems.
The majority of 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 with genes and health issues or
lawsuit talking to a genetic counselor and following prenatal guidelines.
Structural birth defects alter how a part of the body appears or performs. They may be visible, like cleft lips or Cleft palettes, but also invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic conditions. Genetic disorders that are inherited are a type of structural birth defect while environmental factors like a lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which result in the brain or spinal cord not developing properly.
Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can.
There are a variety of medical procedures a pregnant mother is able to undergo in order to discover more about the possibility of birth defects. One of these is amniocentesis which involves a healthcare provider taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure can reveal chromosomal modifications, as well as other health conditions such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.
A doctor may also test a fetus' blood amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are essential in finding out the reason for birth defect. They can also help determine how serious a birth defect will be and the consequences it could affect a child later in the years to come.
Certain birth defects may not be discovered until after the birth of a baby or, in a few instances even after becoming an adult. These conditions are not detectable when they first appear and are often only discovered with diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness involved is well-versed in these technologies and has the right education to detect these flaws. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer is able to determine the right expert for your case.
Find an attorney for Medical Malpractice
If a child is born with a severe
birth defect law firms defect or suffers from a severe birth injury, it could completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can cause lasting physical and mental health challenges, requiring medical care for a lifetime.
Medical science may explain around 30 percent of birth defect cases However, the majority of cases are still a mystery. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances, such as those found in prescription or over the counter medications that mothers take and toxic chemicals found in communities and homes or in groundwater that has been contaminated with air, can cause birth defects.
Doctors are required by law to analyze the medication taken by the mother-to-be and inform her of any potential dangers for the fetus. If they fail to meet this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication.
Doctors are also required to determine the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines surgical tools, and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment, or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could cause serious consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. It's important to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer as soon as you can in the event of this happening. In some states you have only one year to file a
lawsuit for medical malpractice which is why it's important to begin the process as soon as you can.
Take the First Step
Birth defects affect one out of 33 newborns each year and are a major reason for infant death. These issues could be life-threatening, and can result in long-term physical, mental and emotional problems. Researchers have in a few instances connected the causes of birth defects in mothers' exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs or environmental toxins, as well as complications of motherhood, infections, delivery and pregnancy or a family medical history or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, or other genetic diseases). In around 70% of cases, the reason is unknown.
Certain birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easy to spot and can be diagnosed from birth or within the first year of a child's life. Others, such as heart problems or intellectual and developmental disabilities aren't as obvious and require tests of a different kind.
Researchers are trying to discover the cause of birth defects and how they can be avoided. Women who smoke, drink or use illegal drugs while pregnant are at greater risk of having a child with certain defects. Women with a family history of inherited genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. They could also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data regarding medical conditions that are prevalent through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.