Birth Defect Attorney 10 Things I’d Love To Have Known Earlier

What Causes a Birth Defect?

It’s not something that any expectant parent wants to hear: Their child may be born with a defect. These 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 with prenatal testing or newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be diagnosed until after the birth of your child or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What caused your child’s asymmetry?

Many birth defects remain unknown. However, there are a few things that increase the risk of having a child born with defects. These include taking prescription drugs or taking certain medications before pregnancy, having a relative with birth defects or certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women with an history of these conditions should consult a genetic counselor about their options prior to becoming pregnant.

Whether a child’s birth defect causes serious issues or not will depend on which body part is affected and how much of the body part is affected. The more severe the defect is, the more severe the problems will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genes or environment during fetal growth. The chance of developing a birth defect is reduced by knowing about your family’s history of health issues and genes or talking to an expert in genetic counseling and following the guidelines for prenatal care.

Structural defects are birth issues that affect how an element of your body appears or functions. They can be obvious, like cleft lips and Cleft palettes, but also invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a type of structural birth defect, while environmental factors such as the lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects that cause the spinal cord or brain not developing properly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are many medical procedures that pregnant women undergo to find out more about potential birth defects. Amniocentesis is one of them, which involves a healthcare provider taking a small amount of fetal fluid for testing. This procedure can reveal chromosomal defects and other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test a fetus’ blood amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are crucial in determining 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 the years to come.

Some birth defects might not be detected until after the birth of a child or, in rare cases even as an adult. This is because the problems are not easily identified until they are present and are often recognized with the help of diagnostic equipment. In these instances the medical expert witness must be familiar with the technologies and have the training necessary to be able to spot these flaws. An experienced medical malpractice attorney will be able to identify the appropriate specialist for your case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a serious defect or severe birth injury can completely change the life of the family. These injuries can cause long-lasting physical and emotional challenges that often require ongoing medical treatment.

Medical science can pinpoint the causes of about 30 percent of birth defects, many others remain unexplained. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, for example those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications that mothers use, the toxic chemicals at working in some communities and in homes, or the contaminating air and groundwater.

Doctors are required to assess the medication taken by the expecting mother and inform her of any potential risks for the baby. If they fail in this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medication.

Doctors also have the responsibility to assess the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. This could cause serious harm for a newborn baby if a doctor uses the equipment improperly or fails to calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. If this happens you should consult a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. In some states you have only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice, so it’s best to start the process as soon as you can.

Start with the First Step

youngstown birth defect lawyer defects are the most common reason for infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. These issues could be life-threatening, and can trigger permanent physical, cognitive and emotional issues. Researchers have in a few instances linked the birth defects’ causes in mothers’ exposure to prescription or over-the-counter medicines and environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during delivery and pregnancy, family medical history, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). However, in approximately 70% of birth defects cases the cause is not known.

Certain birth defects are readily evident and can be found at fayetteville birth defect lawsuit or within the first year of life. Certain birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities require specific tests to detect.

Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how they can be avoided. For instance women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chances of having a child with certain birth defects. Women with a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor prior to trying to become 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.