20 Trailblazers Are Leading The Way In Birth Defect Attorney

What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's not something that any expecting parents wants to hear: Their child may be born with a defect. These birth defects could be the result of circumstances that occur during pregnancy and can impact the mental or physical health of your child.

A health professional is able to detect some Birth Defect Law Firms defects in pregnancy through the prenatal test or newborn screening. However, other birth defect lawyer defects may not be diagnosed until after the birth of your child or later when they develop symptoms.

What caused your child's deformity?

The cause of the majority of birth defects is still unknown. However there are a few things that increase the likelihood of having a child with a defect. Some of these include using certain medications or taking certain drugs prior to conception or having a family history of birth defects or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have a history of these disorders are advised to consult a genetic counselor about their options prior to becoming pregnant.

The degree to which a birth defect causes serious problems or not will depend on which body part is affected and how much of the body part affected. Usually, the more severe the defect is, the more severe the problem will be.

Most birth defects are caused either through genetics or environmental factors during fetal growth. You can lower the risk of a birth defect speaking with a genetic counselor, learning about the health history of your family, and having a conversation with geneticists.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how an area of your body appears or performs. They can range from visible, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, but also the invisible, like chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetically-inherited conditions can result in structural birth defects. Environmental factors, such as an absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects, which result in brain or spinal cord development not being correct.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that pregnant mothers can undergo in order to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. One of them is amniocentesis which involves a healthcare provider taking a small amount of the fetal fluid to be tested. This test can reveal chromosomal modifications in addition to other health conditions like infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor may also examine the fetus's blood amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are vital in finding out the reason for birth defect. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its effect on a child's adult life.

Some birth defects might not be recognized until after a baby's birth or, in rare instances, even as an adult. This is due to the fact that these problems are not easily identified until they are present and are often detected using diagnostic equipment. In these instances the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the technology and have the necessary training to be able to spot these flaws. A lawyer who has years of experience will be able to determine the most appropriate specialist for your case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a severe defect or birth injury could completely alter the life of a family. These injuries can lead to permanent physical and mental problems needing medical attention for the rest of his life.

While medical science can identify the causes of about 30% of birth defects, many others remain a mystery. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications a mother takes and the harmful chemicals that the heart of some communities and homes, or contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required to evaluate the medications taken by an expectant mother and inform her of any potential dangers for the embryo. If they fail in their duty, they can be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to assess the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could have grave consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. It's important to contact a medical negligence lawyer immediately when this happens. In some states, you're given only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice and it's recommended to begin the process as soon as you can.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These conditions can be life-threatening and can result in long-term physical, mental and emotional issues. In some cases, scientists have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, toxins in the environment, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery, or medical history of the family (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease or PKU). However, in a majority of all birth defect cases, the causes are unknown.

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

Researchers are trying determine what causes birth defects and how they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or consume illegal substances while pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of inherited genetic disorders should consider seeing a genetic counselor prior to trying to become pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information about medical conditions that can be traced through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.