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5 Laws Anybody Working In Birth Defect Attorney Should Be Aware Of
What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's not something that any expectant parent wants to hear: Their child may have a birth defect. These problems are caused by the things that happen during the development of the fetus and can affect your child's mental or physical health.

A health professional can detect birth defects during pregnancy with the prenatal test or newborn screening. However birth defect law firm green bay could not be discovered until after your child's birth or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

Many birth defects remain undiscovered. There are some things that can increase the risk of a woman having a child with a birth defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a family member who has birth defects or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women who have an established history of these diseases should talk to an expert in genetic counseling about their options prior to getting pregnant.

The degree of birth defect in a baby is dependent on the body part affected and the degree to which it is affected. The more severe the defect and the more serious the problem will be.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal development. The risk of having birth defects can be reduced by learning about your family's history with genes and health issues by speaking to an expert on genetics and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how an area of your body looks or performs. They can be visible, such as cleft lips and cleft palettes, or invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic disorders. Inherited genetic conditions are one type of structural birth defect, while environmental factors such as the lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which cause spinal cord and brain not developing correctly.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are several medical procedures pregnant women can undergo to discover more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis can be one of them, where a doctor collects tiny amounts of fluid from the fetus for testing. This test may reveal chromosomal irregularities and other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can also test the blood of a fetus amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are crucial in finding out the reason for birth defects. They also help determine the degree of a birth defect and its impact on a child's future.

However certain birth defects could be missed until a baby is born or, in rare instances, even as an adult. These issues are not readily apparent until they have been identified, and often can only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be conversant with the technology and have the necessary training to identify these defects. A lawyer who has expertise should be able to pinpoint the most appropriate specialist for your case.

Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a severe defect or a serious birth injury can completely change the life of families. These injuries can lead to lasting physical and mental health challenges, requiring medical care for the rest of his life.

While medical science can identify the causes of 30% of birth defects, many others remain unexplained. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances, like those found in prescription or over-the-counter medication taken by mothers or children, harmful chemicals in the community and in homes or in groundwater that has been contaminated with air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to examine a pregnant mother's current medication and inform her of any dangers to the foetus. If they fail to meet this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors also have a duty to evaluate the safety of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. It could be a serious risk for a baby in the event that a physician uses the equipment improperly or fails to calibrate it correctly. This is a case of malpractice. It is crucial to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer as soon as you can in the event of this happening. In some states you have only one year to file a claim for medical malpractice, so it's best to start the process as soon as possible.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the most common reason for infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies each year. The conditions are life-threatening and result in a variety of long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges. Scientists have in a few cases identified the birth defects' causes to exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications or environmental toxins, as well as maternal infections, complications during the birth and pregnancy or a family medical history or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic illnesses). In the majority of cases, the reason is not known.

Certain birth defects are readily detectable and can be identified when a baby is born or in the first year of life. Certain birth defects, such as heart defects, developmental and intellectual disabilities, require tests specific to be identified.


Researchers are trying to discover the root of birth defects, and how they can be avoided. Women who smoke, drink or consume illegal substances while pregnant are at greater risk of having a child with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes inherited genetic disorders may want to consult with a genetic counselor before trying to have a baby. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data on medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.

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