Marietta Benning спросил 8 месяцев назад
What Causes a Birth Defect?
The last thing a expecting parent would like to learn is that their child may be born with a deformity. These issues could be the result of the growing up and could affect the physical or mental health of your child.
Testing for prenatal and newborns can be utilized by a doctor to diagnose certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other birth defects could not be identified until after the birth of your child or when they start to develop symptoms.
What Caused Your Child’s Defect?
The reason for many birth defects is not known. There are several factors that can increase the risk of the mother having a child with a birth defect. Some of these include using certain medications or taking certain drugs before becoming pregnant or having an ancestral history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women with an ancestral history of these conditions are advised to speak with an expert on genetics prior to getting pregnant.
The extent to which a birth defect in a child can cause serious health issues or Vimeo not is dependent on which body part is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. The more severe the birth defect the greater the severity of the issues.
The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal development. The risk of having birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family’s history of health and genetic issues and speaking with an expert on genetics and following the prenatal care guidelines.
Structural defects are birth issues that affect how an element of your body looks or performs. They can be visible, like cleft lips and cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Genetically-inherited conditions can be a type of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, such as a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that result in brain or spinal cord development not functioning as it should.
Gather More Evidence than You Think
There are a variety of medical procedures a pregnant mother may undergo to find out more about a possible birth defect. Amniocentesis, for instance, is in which a healthcare professional takes an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for examination. This procedure could reveal chromosomal anomalies as well as other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or Vimeo rubella) or genetic anomalies.
A doctor can examine the amniotic liquid, blood and the fetus’s tissues to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are essential in finding out the cause of a birth defect. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its effect on a child’s adult life.
Certain birth defects might not be detected until after the birth of a child or, in rare instances even after becoming an adult. These problems aren’t visible when they first appear and can be detected through diagnostic equipment. In these instances the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the techniques and the knowledge and experience required to identify these defects. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you identify the most appropriate expert for your case.
Hire an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice
A child born with a severe defect or birth injury could completely alter the life of the family. These injuries can lead to long-term physical and mental issues, requiring medical care for the rest of their lives.
Medical science could explain up to 30 percent of birth defects but the rest remain unsolved. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances, such as those in prescription or over the counter medications taken by a mother, toxic chemicals in homes and communities or in groundwater that has been contaminated with air, can cause birth defects.
Doctors are required to assess the medication taken by a pregnant mother and inform her of any possible dangers to the fetus. If they fail in this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medication.
Doctors are also required to examine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines surgical tools, and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could lead to serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. If this occurs you should seek out a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can. In some states, you only have one year to file a medical malpractice case, so the earlier you start the process the better.
Take the First Step
Birth defects affect one in 33 babies born each year, and are the most common cause of infant mortality. These conditions can be life-threatening and cause long-term physical, emotional and cognitive issues. In a few instances, scientists have identified the cause to be a mother’s exposure to prescription or non-prescription drugs, toxins in the environment and maternal infections, the complications of pregnancy and birth, or family medical history (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease or PKU). In about 70% of cases, the reason is unknown.
Certain birth defects are readily visible and can be detected at birth or within the first year of life. Certain birth defects, like heart defects, developmental and intellectual disabilities, require specific tests to identify.
Researchers are trying to figure out the cause of birth defects and how they can be prevented. For instance smoking or drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chances of having a child with a defect. Women with a family history involving genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They can 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.