What The Heck Is Birth Defect Attorney

What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent would like to be told is that their child may have a birth defect. These birth defect lawyers defects are caused by things that happen during fetal development and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

A health care provider is able to detect some birth defects during pregnancy with the prenatal test or newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be detected until after the birth of your child or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What was the cause of your child's error?

The reason for many birth defects remains unknown. There are a few factors that increase the chance of the mother having a child with a birth defect. These include taking prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a family member that has birth defects or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestral history of these diseases are advised to speak with an expert in genetic counseling prior to becoming pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child depends on the affected body part and how much is affected. Usually, the more severe the defect then the more severe the problems will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the development of the fetus. The risk of having birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history of health and genetic issues, talking to a genetic counselor and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way the body appears or performs. They may range from the visible such as cleft lips and cleft palate, but also the invisibly, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Genetically-inherited conditions could be a form of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, such as an absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal or brain not working as intended.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are a variety of medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis, for instance, is where a healthcare provider takes a small sample of fluid from the fetus to conduct examination. This test can reveal chromosomal abnormalities, 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 tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are vital in finding out the cause of birth defects. They also aid in determining how severe a birth defect could be and the impact it will have on a child's their adulthood.

However, some birth defects can be missed until a baby is born or, in rare instances, when an adult. These issues are not readily apparent until they become apparent, and often can only be recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness is familiar with these techniques and has the appropriate experience to recognize these defects. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able identify the right specialist for your case.

Find an attorney for Medical Malpractice

If a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a severe birth injury, it can completely turn a family's world upside down. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and mental challenges, requiring medical care for the rest of their lives.

While medical science can identify the causes of about 30% of birth defects, many others remain unsolved. Research has proven that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, such as those present in prescription or over the counter medication that mothers take, the toxic chemicals at the heart of some communities and homes, or in contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors are required to evaluate the medications taken by the mother-to-be and inform her of any possible risks to the foetus. If they fail in their duty, they may be held liable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines surgical tools, as well as other equipment. It could be a serious risk for a baby's health should a doctor use the equipment in error or fails to calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. When this happens it's crucial to contact a medical negligence attorney as quickly as you can. In some states, you're given only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice which is why it's important to start the process as soon as you can.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects affect 1 of 33 babies born each year, and are the most common cause of infant mortality. These conditions can be life-threatening and can lead to many long term mental, emotional and physical challenges. Researchers have in a few instances linked the causes of birth defects due to exposure of the mother to prescription and non-prescription drugs and environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery, family medical history, or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic illnesses). However, in a majority of birth defects cases the cause is unknown.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to see and can be detected at birth or within the first year of a child's existence. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, aren't as easy to identify and require special tests.

Researchers are attempting to determine what causes birth defects and how some of they can be prevented. For instance, women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chance of having a baby 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 get pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect information regarding medical conditions that are prevalent through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.