What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing that an expectant parent wants to hear: their child may be born with a defect. These defects may be caused by a variety of events that occur during the fetal development and can affect the mental or physical health of your child.

Screening for newborns and prenatal tests can be used by a health professional to identify certain birth defects during pregnancy. However other birth defects can not be identified until after your child is born or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What is the cause of your child's deformity?

The causes of the majority of birth defects is still unknown. There are several factors which can increase the chances of pregnant women having children with birth defect. Some of these include taking certain medications or prescription drugs prior to conception, having an ancestral history of birth defects, or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have an ancestral history of these diseases are advised to consult a genetic counsellor before getting pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a child varies on the affected body part and the extent to which it is affected. The more severe the birth defect, the more serious the problems.

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal growth. You can reduce the chance of a birth defect consulting a genetic counselor and learning about the health background of your family, and meeting with a geneticist.

Structural defects are birth defect lawyer imperfections that affect how an area of your body appears or performs. They vary from the obvious like cleft lip and cleft palate to the invisible, like metabolic disorders or chromosome problems. Inherited genetic conditions are one kind of structural birth defect while environmental factors, such as an absence of folic acids can lead to neural tube defects that cause spinal cord or brain not developing properly.

Gather More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures pregnant mothers may undergo to determine the cause of the possibility of birth defects. One of them is amniocentesis that involves a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. This test could reveal chromosomal anomalies, as well other health conditions, such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the amniotic fluid, blood and tissues of a fetus to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are essential in finding out the causes of birth defects. They can also determine the extent of the birth defect and its effect on a child's future.

However, some birth defects can be missed until a baby is born or, in rare instances, when an adult. This is because the issues are not readily apparent until they are present and are often identified with the use of diagnostic equipment. In these instances the medical expert witness must be familiar with the technologies and have the education required to identify these flaws. A lawyer who has experience should be able identify the right specialist for your case.

Employ an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

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

While medical science is able to pinpoint the causes of about 30% of birth defects, many others remain unsolved. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, like those present in prescription or over the counter medications a mother takes, the toxic chemicals at work in some communities and homes, or in contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors have a duty to review the pregnant mother's current medications and inform her of any possible risks to the baby. If they fail in this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects caused by medications.

Doctors also have a responsibility to evaluate the safety of any procedure or device 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 properly calibrate the equipment, it could cause serious consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. It is crucial to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer immediately when this happens. In some states you have only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice, so it's best to start the process as soon as possible.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the leading reason for infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These conditions can be life-threatening and can trigger lasting physical, cognitive and emotional issues. Scientists have, in some instances, linked the birth defects' causes to exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs as well as environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during delivery and pregnancy, family medical history, or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, or other genetic diseases). However, in a majority of Birth Defect Attorney defects cases, the causes are unknown.

Certain birth defects are readily noticeable and can be detected at birth or within the first year. Some birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, require specific tests to identify.

Researchers are trying to discover the causes of birth defects and how they can be prevented. For instance smoking or drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the likelihood of having a child 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 with a genetic counselor before trying to be pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health Form to collect information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.