What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent wants to hear is that their child could have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by the things that happen during the fetal stage and could affect your child's mental or physical health.

A health care provider can identify birth defects during pregnancy using the prenatal test or newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be identified until after the birth of your child or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

The cause of many birth defects remains unknown. There are a few factors that could increase the likelihood of a woman having a child with a birth defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications before the birth, having a family member who has birth defects or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestral history of these diseases are advised to speak with a genetic counsellor before getting pregnant.

The degree to which a birth defect can cause serious health issues or not is contingent upon which body part is affected and the extent of the body part affected. The more severe the birth defect, the greater the severity of the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genes or environment during fetal development. You can reduce the chance of having a birth defect by consulting a genetic counselor and learning about the health background of your family and talking with the geneticist.

Structural birth problems are those that alter the way a part of your body appears or functions. They can range from the visible, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, up to the invisible, like chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic disorders that are inherited are a type 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 or brain not developing properly.

Get More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures that pregnant mothers can undergo in order to determine the cause of the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis is one of them, which involves a medical professional taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure can reveal chromosomal changes as well as other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also examine the fetus's blood or amniotic fluid as well as the tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are essential in diagnosing the root of a birth defect. They also aid in determining how severe a birth defect will be and the effect it may affect a child later in his or her adult life.

Some birth defects might not be detected at the time of birth or, in some rare cases even as an adult. This is because the issues are not readily apparent until they are present, and often can only be identified with the use of diagnostic equipment. For these kinds of situations, it is essential that the medical expert witness in question is familiar with these technologies and has the correct experience to identify such defects. A medical malpractice lawyer with years of experience will be able to determine the most appropriate specialist for your case.

Employ an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

If a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a devastating birth injury, it could completely turn a family's world upside down. These injuries can cause lifelong physical and mental challenges, requiring medical care for a lifetime.

Medical science may explain around 30 percent of birth defect cases but the rest remain a mystery. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, such as those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medications a mother takes, the toxic chemicals at play in certain communities and in homes, or the contaminating groundwater and air.

Doctors are required to review the pregnant mother's current medications and advise her about any risks for the foetus. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

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 tools, and any other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses this equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could lead to grave consequences for the baby. This is considered to be malpractice. It is important to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can if this happens. In some states, you only have a single year to file a medical malpractice claim, so the earlier you begin the process the more favorable.

Take the First Step

Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies born each year and are a major reason for infant mortality. These conditions could be life-threatening, and can lead to lasting physical, cognitive and emotional problems. Researchers have in a few instances linked the birth defects' causes to exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs, environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during delivery and pregnancy and family medical history or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic illnesses). However, in a majority of birth defect lawsuit defect cases the cause is not known.

Certain birth defects are easily noticeable and can be detected when a baby is born or in the first year of life. Some birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and development disabilities, require specific tests to be identified.

Researchers are trying determine the cause of birth defects and how they can be avoided. Women who smoke, drink or take illegal drugs when pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child with certain defects. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult with a genetic counselor prior to trying to have a baby. They may also use the March of Dimes Family Health Form to collect information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.