Three Of The Biggest Catastrophes In Birth Defect Attorney History
What Causes a Birth Defect?
It's the last thing any expecting parent would like to hear: their child may be born with a defect. These issues could be the result of circumstances that occur during growing up and could affect the mental or physical health of your child.
A doctor can identify birth defects in pregnancy through newborn screening or prenatal tests. Other birth defects could be discovered only after the birth of your child, or after symptoms are evident.
What caused your child's deformity?
The causes of the majority of birth defects is still unknown. There are several factors that increase the chance of a woman having a child with birth defect. One of them is taking certain medications or drugs prior to becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women with a history of these disorders should speak with a genetic counselor about their options prior to 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. Usually, the more severe the defect and the more serious the problem will be.
Most birth defects are caused either through genetics or environmental factors during fetal development. You can lessen the risk of developing a birth defect by talking to a genetic counsellor and learning about the health background of your family, and meeting with an expert in genetics.
Structural birth defects are those that change how a particular part of the body looks or works. They can be obvious, like cleft lips or Cleft palettes, or they can be invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a kind of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors like the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects, which result in the spinal cord and brain not developing correctly.
Get More Evidence than You Think
There are many medical procedures pregnant women undergo to find out more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis, for instance, is in which a healthcare professional takes an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for testing. This procedure can reveal chromosomal defects, as well other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.
A doctor can test the blood, amniotic liquid and the fetus's tissues for signs of a birth defect. These tests are vital in finding out the cause of a birth defect. They also help determine the degree of a birth defect and its effects on a child's future.
However some birth defects can go undetected until a baby is born or, in rare cases, an adult. This is because these problems are not easily identified 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 familiar with the technologies and have the education required to be able identify the defects. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney is able to determine the right expert for your case.
Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer
A child born with a severe defect or birth injury can drastically alter the life of a family. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and emotional problems that often require ongoing medical treatment.
Medical science could explain up to 30% of birth defect cases however, many other cases are still a mystery. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances such as those in prescription or over-the-counter medications taken by a mother, toxic chemicals in communities and homes or groundwater that is contaminated air may cause birth defects.
Doctors are required by law to analyze the dosage of medication taken by the expecting mother and inform her of any potential risks for the fetus. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects caused by medications.
Doctors are also required to assess the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using the equipment or fails correctly calibrate the equipment, it could have serious consequences for the baby. This is considered to be malpractice. If this happens, it's important to seek out a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. In some states, you're only given a single year to file a medical malpractice case, so the sooner you start the process the better.
Take the First Step
Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies born each year, and are a major cause of infant death. These conditions can be life-threatening and cause a myriad of cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges. Scientists have in a few cases linked the causes of birth defects to exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs, environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and birth and medical history of the family, or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic illnesses). However, in a majority of all birth Defect law firms defects the cause is not known.
Certain birth defects are readily detectable and can be identified at birth or within the first year. Certain birth defects, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, require tests specific to determine the cause.
Researchers are trying determine the root of birth defects, and how they can be avoided. For instance, women who smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chance of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women who have an inherited family history of genetic disorders should think about seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data about medical conditions that can be traced through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.