What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a expecting parent wants to hear is that their child could have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by things that occur during the fetal stage and could affect your child's mental or physical health.

Testing for prenatal and newborns can be utilized by a doctor to detect certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects can only be detected after the birth of your child or when symptoms are evident.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

The root of many birth defects remains unknown. However, there are a few factors that increase the likelihood of having a child with defects. One of them is taking drugs or certain medications prior to conception, having a family history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women who have a family history of these disorders are advised to speak with a genetic counselor prior to getting pregnant.

If a birth defect in a baby causes serious problems or not is contingent upon the body part that is affected and how much of the body part is affected. The more severe a birth defect, the more severe the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal development. The risk of having birth defects can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history of genes and health issues, talking to a genetic counselor, and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth imperfections are those that alter how a part of the body appears or functions. They may be visible like cleft lips or cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic disorders. Genetic disorders that are inherited can result in birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, such as an absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects, which result in the development of the spinal cord and brain not working as intended.

Gather More Evidence than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that pregnant mothers may undergo to discover more about a possible birth defect. Amniocentesis is one example, which is when a healthcare professional collects an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus to conduct 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 and even the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are crucial to finding out the causes of birth defects. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect lawsuit defect and its impact on a child's life.

Some birth defects might not be discovered until after the birth of a child or, in a few instances even after becoming an adult. These issues aren't easily detected prior to their onset and are usually only detected by using equipment for diagnosing. In these kinds of cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness in question is familiar with these techniques and has the right education to recognize these defects. A medical malpractice lawyer with expertise should be able to pinpoint the right specialist for your case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a severe defect or birth injury can alter the life of a family. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and emotional challenges and often require an entire lifetime of medical attention.

Medical science can pinpoint the causes of about 30% of birth defects, many others remain unsolved. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances, such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medicines taken by mothers and toxic chemicals found in the community and in homes as well as contaminated groundwater and air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors have a duty to evaluate the mother's current medication and inform her of any dangers to the embryo. If they fail to perform this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects caused by medications.

Doctors also have a duty to examine the safety of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray instruments, surgical instruments and other equipment. It could be a serious risk for a child in the event that a physician uses the equipment in a negligent manner or does not calibrate it correctly. This would be considered medical malpractice. It is crucial to contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can when this happens. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a case for medical malpractice which is why it's important to begin the process as soon as you can.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the most common cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies every year. The condition could be life-threatening and cause a myriad of cognitive, emotional, and physical difficulties. In some instances, scientists have identified the cause to be a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medications, toxins accumulated in the environment, maternal infections, complications associated with pregnancy and birth or a medical history of the family (like genetic diseases, sickle cell disease or PKU). But in about 70% of birth defects cases the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects are readily noticeable and can be detected either at birth or during the first year. Certain birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and development disabilities, require tests specific to determine the cause.

Researchers are trying to discover what causes birth defects and how they can be avoided. For example, women who smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chances of having a child with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult with a genetic counselor prior to trying to be pregnant. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.