What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a expecting parent would like to be told is that their child might have a birth defect. These defects may be caused by a variety of things that happen during fetal growth and can affect the mental or physical health of your child.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be used by a doctor to determine the presence of certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other birth defects could not be discovered until after your child's birth or when they start to develop symptoms.

What caused your child's deficiency?

Many birth defects remain unknown. However there are a few factors that can increase the chance of having a child born with a defect. This includes using medications or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, having a relative with a birth defect or having certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestral history of these conditions are advised to speak with a genetic counsellor before getting pregnant.

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

Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the fetal growth. You can reduce the chance of developing a birth defect by talking to a genetic counsellor and learning about the health background of your family and having a conversation with a geneticist.

Structural birth imperfections are those that alter the way a part of your body appears or works. They can range from the visible like cleft lips and cleft palate to the invisible, like chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic disorders that are inherited may be a sign of birth defects with structural causes. Environmental factors, like the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord or brain not functioning as it should.

Find More Evidence than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures pregnant women can undergo to discover more about possible birth defects. Amniocentesis is a prime example, where a healthcare provider takes tiny amounts of fluid from the fetus for examination. This test can reveal chromosomal defects and other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the amniotic fluid, blood and the fetus's tissues to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are vital in finding out the reason for birth defects. They also help determine the degree of a birth defect and its impact on a child's adult life.

Certain birth defect lawyers defects might not be recognized until after the birth of a child or, in rare cases even after becoming an adult. This is because these conditions aren't easily detected until they become apparent, and often can only be identified with the use of diagnostic equipment. In these instances the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the technologies and have the necessary training to identify these flaws. An experienced medical malpractice attorney will be able to identify the right expert for your particular case.

Find a Medical Malpractice Attorney

When a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a devastating birth injury, it can completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and emotional challenges, often requiring the need for a lifetime of medical treatment.

Although medical science has been able to identify the root causes of around 30 percent of birth defects others remain unsolved. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances, such as those found in prescription or over the counter medications taken by a mother or children, harmful chemicals in homes and communities, or contaminated groundwater and air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to assess an expectant mother's current medications, and advise her of any possible risks to the baby. If they fail to perform this duty, they may be held accountable for Birth Defect Attorney defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray equipment, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses the equipment, or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could have serious consequences for the baby. This is considered to be malpractice. It's important to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer immediately if this happens. In some states, you have only one year to file a medical negligence case, so the faster you begin the process the better.

Take the First Step

Birth defects affect one out of 33 babies born each year, and are the most common cause of infant death. These issues could be life-threatening, and can lead to long-term physical, mental and emotional challenges. In a few instances, scientists have connected the causes to mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, toxins in the environment, maternal infections, complications of pregnancy and birth or a medical history in the family (like genetic diseases, sickle cell disease or PKU). In around 70% of cases, the reason is unknown.

Certain birth defects are easily noticeable and can be detected at birth or within the first year. Others, such as heart problems or intellectual and developmental disabilities, are not as easy to identify and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are trying to discover what can cause birth defects and how these can be avoided. For instance, women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the likelihood of having a child with certain birth defects. Women who have a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data about medical conditions that can be found in their families and discuss it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.