What Is Birth Defect Attorney Heck What Is Birth Defect Attorney

What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing an expecting parents wants to hear: their child may have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by the things that happen in the fetal period and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

A health care provider can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy with the prenatal test or newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be detected until after your child is born or when they start to develop symptoms.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

The cause of many birth defects remains unknown. However there are some factors that increase the likelihood of having a child born with defects. These include using drugs or taking certain medications before pregnancy, having a relative with birth defects or certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestral history of these conditions are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling prior to getting pregnant.

Whether a child's birth defect causes serious issues or not is contingent upon which body part is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. The more serious a birth defect is, the greater the severity of the problems.

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal growth. The risk of having birth defects is reduced by knowing about your family's history of genes and health issues, talking to an expert in genetic counseling and following the guidelines for prenatal care.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how an area of your body looks or performs. They may be visible, like cleft lips or cleft palettes, or invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations may be a sign of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, for instance, the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that result in the development of the spinal cord and brain not working as intended.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo in order to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis is a prime example, in which a healthcare professional takes tiny amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct testing. This procedure can reveal chromosomal defects, as well other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also test the blood of a fetus, amniotic fluid and even the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are vital in finding out the cause of birth defects. They also aid in determining the severity of the birth defect could be and the consequences it could have on a child's the years to come.

However, some birth defects can be unnoticed until the baby is born or, in rare instances, even as an adult. These problems aren't visible prior to their onset and can be detected through equipment for diagnosing. In these instances the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the techniques and the training necessary to be able to spot the defects. An experienced medical malpractice attorney should be able to identify the most suitable expert for your particular case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a serious defect or severe birth injury can completely change the life of families. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and mental challenges needing medical attention for the rest of his life.

While medical science can identify the underlying causes behind about 30 percent of birth defects, many others remain unexplained. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications that mothers use or the toxic chemicals at the heart of some communities and homes, as well as contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required by law to analyze the medication used by the mother-to-be and inform her of any potential risks to the foetus. When they fail in this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to assess the safety and efficacy of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment or fails correctly calibrate the equipment, it could result in serious consequences for the baby. This is a case of malpractice. It is crucial to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer immediately if this happens. In some states, you're only given one year to file a medical negligence case, so the sooner you begin the process, the more favorable.

Begin by completing the first Step

Birth defects affect one of 33 babies born every year, and are a major cause of infant mortality. These issues can be life-threatening, and can lead to long-term physical, mental and emotional issues. Scientists have in a few cases connected the causes of birth defects in mothers' exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines and environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, pregnancy and birth and medical history of the family, or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). However, in approximately 70% of birth defects (Full Post) cases, the causes are unknown.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot, are easy to spot and can be detected from birth or within the first year of a child's life. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities aren't as easily identified and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are trying to discover what causes birth defects and how some of them can be prevented. For example women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chances of having a child with certain birth defects. Women with a family history of inheritance genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and then share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.