What Causes a Birth Defect?

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

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be used by a doctor to diagnose certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. Other birth defects can only be identified after your child's birth or when symptoms are evident.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

The root of many birth defects remains unknown. However there are some factors that increase a woman's risk of having a child born with defects. One of them is using certain medications or taking certain drugs prior to becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have a family history of these conditions are advised to speak with a genetic counsellor before becoming pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a child varies on the body part that is affected and how severe the damage. The more serious a birth defect is, the more severe the problems.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the development of the fetus. The chance of developing a birth defect can be reduced by learning about your family's history of health issues and genes by speaking to an expert on genetics and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth imperfections are those that alter how a part of the body appears or performs. They can be visible, like cleft lips and Cleft palettes, but also invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic conditions. Inherited genetic conditions could be a form of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, such as the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects, which result in the development of the spinal or brain not working as intended.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo to find out more about the possibility of birth defects. One of them is amniocentesis which involves a medical professional taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. This test could reveal chromosomal variations, as well as other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor can examine the amniotic liquid, blood and the tissues of a fetus to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are vital in diagnosing the root of a birth defect. They also aid in determining the severity of a birth defect will be and the consequences it could be having on a child's their adult life.

However certain birth defects may be unnoticed until the baby is born or, in rare instances, even as an adult. This is because these issues are not readily apparent until they are present and often can only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be conversant with the techniques and the education required to recognize these flaws. A lawyer who has experience should be able identify the most appropriate specialist for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers from a severe birth injury, it can completely turn the world of a family upside down. These injuries can cause permanent physical and mental problems needing medical attention for a lifetime.

While medical science is able to pinpoint the underlying causes behind about 30 percent of birth defects, others 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 that mothers use and the harmful chemicals that play in certain communities and homes, or contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors have a duty to evaluate the mother's current medications and inform her about any risks to the embryo. If they fail to perform this obligation, they could be held responsible for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray equipment, surgical tools, and any other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using this equipment or fails to correctly calibrate the equipment, it could have grave consequences for the baby. This is a case of malpractice. When this happens it is important to consult a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. In some states, you're only given a single year to file a medical malpractice case, so the faster you start the process, the better.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect one of 33 babies born each year and are a major cause of infant mortality. These issues can be life-threatening, and can lead to lasting physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. Scientists have in a few cases identified the birth defects' causes due to exposure of the mother to prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and birth or a family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, or other genetic diseases). However, in a majority of birth defects cases the cause is unknown.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or a clubfoot are easily identifiable and are easily diagnosed at birth or in the first year of a child's life. Other conditions, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities aren't as obvious and require specialized tests.

Researchers are trying to discover what causes birth defects and how them may be prevented. For example women who smoke or drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the risk of having a baby with a defect. Women with a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They may also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information regarding medical conditions that are prevalent through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.