What Causes a birth defect lawyer Defect?
It’s the last thing any expecting parents wants to hear: their child may have a birth defect. These issues are caused by things that happen during growing up and could affect the physical or mental health of your child.
A health care provider is able to detect some birth defects in pregnancy through newborn screening or prenatal tests. Other birth defects could only be detected after the birth of your child or when symptoms appear.
What is the cause of your child’s deformity?
The root of many birth defects is not known. There are a few factors that can increase the risk of a woman having a child with birth defect. One of them is using certain medications or taking certain drugs before getting pregnant, having an ancestral history of birth defects, or having medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have an ancestral history of these diseases are advised to consult a genetic counselor prior to becoming pregnant.
The severity of a birth defect in a child depends on the affected body part and how severe the damage. The more serious a birth defect is, the more serious the problems.
The majority of birth defects are caused either by genetics or the environment during fetal development. You can reduce the chance of a birth defect speaking with a genetic counselor and learning about the health history of your family and having a conversation with the geneticist.
Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how the body looks or functions. They can be obvious, like cleft lips or cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic conditions. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a type of structural Birth Defect Attorney defect, while environmental factors such as the absence of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which cause spinal cord or the brain not developing properly.
Get More Evidence than You Think
There are a variety of medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to learn more about a possible birth defect. Amniocentesis is one example, in which a healthcare professional takes a small sample of fluid from the fetus for testing. This test may reveal chromosomal irregularities as well as other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.
A doctor can test the amniotic liquid, blood and the fetus’s tissues to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are essential in diagnosing the root of birth defects. They can also determine the extent of the birth defect and its effects on a child’s adult life.
Some birth defects may not be discovered until after the birth of a child or, in a few instances even as an adult. These problems aren’t visible when they first appear and can be detected through equipment for diagnosing. For these kinds of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness in question is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the appropriate training to be able to detect these flaws. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer is able to determine the appropriate specialist for your particular case.
Hire an attorney for Medical Malpractice
When a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a severe birth injury, it could completely turn a family’s lives upside down. These injuries can cause life-long physical and emotional problems which often require an entire lifetime of medical attention.
Medical science may explain around 30 percent of birth defect cases, but many others are still a mystery. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medication taken by mothers, toxic chemicals in the homes and communities or groundwater that is contaminated air may cause birth defects.
Doctors are required to evaluate the mother’s current medications, and advise her of any possible dangers to the baby. When they fail in this obligation, they can be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication.
Doctors are also required to determine the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, and any other equipment. This could result in serious consequences for a child if a doctor uses the equipment in a negligent manner or does not calibrate it properly. This would be considered to be malpractice. When this happens, it’s important to seek out a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. In some states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical negligence case, so the sooner you begin the process, the better.
Take the First Step
Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality. They affect one in 33 babies each year. The conditions are life-threatening and result in a variety of long-term mental, emotional and physical problems. In some cases, scientists have linked the causes to a mother’s exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, toxins found in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications of pregnancy and delivery or family medical history (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease, PKU). However, in approximately 70% of all birth defects the cause is not known.
Certain birth defects are readily evident and can be found at birth or in the first year of life. Others, such as heart problems or developmental and intellectual disabilities aren’t as easily identifiable and require tests that are specific to the condition.
Researchers are trying to figure out the root of birth defects, and how they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or take illegal drugs when pregnant increase their risk for having a child born with certain defects. Women who have a family history of inherited genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information regarding medical conditions that run in their families and then share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.