What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing any expecting parent would like to hear: their child may have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused things that occur during the fetal stage and could affect your child's physical or mental health.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be utilized by a health professional to detect certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects could only be detected following the birth of your child, or after symptoms begin to appear.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

The cause of many birth defects is not known. There are certain factors that increase the chance of a woman having a child with birth defect. One of them is using certain medications or taking certain drugs before becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects, or having medical conditions like rheumatic disease. Women who have a family history of these diseases are advised to speak with an expert on genetics prior to getting pregnant.

The degree to which a birth defect causes serious issues or not is dependent on the body part that is affected and how much of the body part affected. The more severe a birth defect, the more severe the problems.

The majority of birth defects are caused through genetics or environmental factors during fetal growth. You can reduce your risk of having a birth defect by speaking with a genetic counselor or a health professional, gaining knowledge about the history of your family, and talking with a geneticist.

Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way an area of your body appears or performs. They may be visible such as cleft lips and cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic disorders. Genetically-inherited conditions can be a type of birth defect law firms defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, for instance, a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal or brain not functioning properly.

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There are many medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo in order to discover more about a possible birth defect. One example is amniocentesis, that involves a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. This test may reveal chromosomal irregularities and other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can 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 determining the cause of a birth defect. They can also determine the severity of birth defect and its impact on a child's life.

However certain birth defects could go undetected until a baby is born or, in rare cases, as an adult. This is due to the fact that these issues are not readily apparent until they have been identified, and often can only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness is well-versed in these technologies and has the right education to recognize these defects. A lawyer who has years of experience will be able to determine the best expert for your case.

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A child born with a severe defect or a severe birth injury can drastically alter the life of a family. These injuries can cause lifelong physical and mental challenges and require medical treatment for the rest of their lives.

Medical science can pinpoint the root causes of around 30 percent of birth defects, others remain unexplained. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, Birth defects for example those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medications that mothers use, the toxic chemicals at play in certain communities and in homes, or the contaminating air and groundwater.

Doctors must evaluate the dosage of medication taken by the expecting mother and inform her of any potential risks for the foetus. If they fail to meet this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and efficacy of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses the equipment or fails correctly calibrate the equipment, it could have grave consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. It is essential to contact a medical negligence lawyer as soon as you can when this happens. In certain states, you are only allowed a single year to file a medical malpractice case, so the earlier you begin the process, birth defects the better.

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Birth defects affect 1 out of 33 babies born each year and are a major cause of infant mortality. These issues can be life-threatening, and they can cause long-term physical, cognitive and emotional issues. Scientists have, in some instances, connected the birth defects' causes in mothers' exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications and environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, the birth and pregnancy or a family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, or other genetic illnesses). In around 70% of cases, the reason is not known.

Some birth defects, like clubfoot or hearing loss, are easily identifiable and can be detected from birth or within the first year of a child's existence. Others, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities are not as obvious and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are working to understand what can cause birth defects and how these can be avoided. For example, women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chances of having a child with certain birth defects. Women with a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information regarding medical conditions that run in their families and provide it to their doctor or genetic counselor.