What Causes a Birth Defect?

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

A health professional can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy with newborn screening or prenatal tests. However, other birth defects may not be diagnosed until after your child is born or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What caused your child's deformity?

Many birth defects remain unknown. There are some things which can increase the chances of being pregnant with a child with a birth defect. Some of these include using certain medications or taking certain drugs prior to conception, having a family history of birth defects, or having certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women who have an ancestral history of these disorders are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling prior to getting pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a child depends on the body part that is affected and how severe the damage. The more severe the birth defect the greater the severity of the problems.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal growth. The chance of developing birth defects can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history with genes and health issues and speaking with an expert in genetic counseling and following the guidelines for prenatal care.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how a part of your body looks or functions. They can range from visible, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, but also the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Genetic disorders that are inherited can be a type of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, for instance, a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects, which result in brain or spinal cord development not functioning as it should.

Find More Evidence than You Think You Can.

There are several medical procedures pregnant women can undergo to determine potential birth defects. Amniocentesis is a prime example, where a healthcare provider takes a small sample of fluid from the fetus for analysis. This procedure could reveal chromosomal anomalies as well as other health conditions, such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also test a fetus' blood or amniotic fluid as well as the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are crucial to determining the cause of birth defects. They can also help determine how severe a birth defect will be and the effect it may affect a child later in their adult life.

Certain birth defects may not be detected until after the birth of a baby or, in some rare cases, even as an adult. These conditions are not detectable prior to their onset and are sometimes only detected through equipment for diagnosing. In these instances the medical expert witness must be familiar with the technologies and have the training necessary to be able to spot the defects. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer is able to determine the right expert for your particular case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a severe defect or a severe birth injury can completely change the life of a family. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and psychological challenges that often require an entire lifetime of medical attention.

Medical science can pinpoint the underlying causes behind about 30% of birth defects, others remain a mystery. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances like those in prescription or over the counter medications that mothers take, toxic chemicals in homes and communities or in groundwater that has been contaminated with air may cause birth defect law firm defects.

Doctors have a duty to evaluate the mother's current medications and advise her of any potential risks for the embryo. If they fail to meet this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors also have a duty to determine the safety 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 correctly calibrate the equipment, it could cause grave consequences for the baby. This is a case of malpractice. It is important to contact a medical negligence lawyer immediately if this happens. In some states, you're only given a single year to file a medical malpractice case, so the earlier you begin the process, the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the primary cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These issues can be life-threatening and they can cause permanent physical, cognitive and emotional problems. Scientists have, in some instances, identified the causes of birth defects in mothers' exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines, environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during delivery and pregnancy and medical history of the family, or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic diseases). In around 70% of cases, the reason is not known.

Certain birth defects, including hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to spot and are easily diagnosed at birth or in the first year of a child's life. Certain birth defects, like heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, require specific tests to be identified.

Researchers are trying to determine the root of 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 born with certain defects. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult with a genetic counselor before trying to conceive. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information about medical conditions that can be found in their families and discuss it with their doctor or genetic counselor.