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What Causes a Birth Defect?

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

Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be utilized by a health professional to detect certain birth defects during pregnancy. Other birth defects can only be detected after the birth of your child or when symptoms appear.

What is the reason for your child's defect?

The cause of the majority of birth defects is still unknown. There are several factors that increase the chance of the mother having a child with birth defect. 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 diseases. Women with an ancestral background of these disorders are advised to speak with a genetic counselor prior to getting pregnant.

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

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

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how the body appears or functions. They can be obvious, such as cleft lips and cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic conditions. Genetic disorders that are inherited could be a form of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, for instance, the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord or brain not being correct.

Get More Evidence than You Think

There are many medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo to find out more about a possible birth defect. Amniocentesis, for instance, is where a doctor collects tiny amounts 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 anomalies.

A doctor may also examine the fetus's blood, amniotic fluid and even the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are vital in finding out the reason for a birth defect. They can also help determine how severe a birth defect could be and the impact it will have on a child's his or her adult life.

However some birth defects can go undetected until a baby is born or, in rare cases, as an adult. These problems are not easily identified until they become apparent, and are often recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. For these kinds of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness in question is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the appropriate experience to detect these flaws. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able to identify the most appropriate specialist for your case.

Employ an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

When a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a serious birth injury, it could completely turn a family's lives upside down. These injuries can cause long-term physical and mental issues needing medical attention for the rest of their lives.

Medical science can explain about 30% of birth defect cases but the rest remain unknown. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, such as those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medication that mothers take, the toxic chemicals at the heart of some communities and homes, as well as contaminated groundwater and air.

Doctors are required to evaluate the mother's current medications and advise her of any dangers for the baby. If they fail in their obligation, they could be held liable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and efficacy of any equipment or procedure they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, and other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses this equipment or fails to correctly calibrate the equipment, it could have serious consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. It is important to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer immediately should this happen. In certain states, you have only a single year to file a medical negligence case, so the earlier you begin the process the better.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect one in 33 babies born every year, and are a major cause of infant mortality. These issues are life-threatening, and can result in permanent physical, cognitive and emotional difficulties. Scientists have in some cases identified the birth defects' causes in mothers' exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs, environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, the birth and pregnancy or a family medical history or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic illnesses). However, in a majority of birth defects cases the causes are not clear.

Certain birth defects are easily evident and can be found when a baby is born or in the first year. Certain birth defect lawsuit defects, like heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, require tests specific to determine the cause.

Researchers are trying to discover what can cause birth defects and how some of them may be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or consume illegal substances while pregnant increase their risk for having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to have a baby. They could also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect information on medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.