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The No. 1 Question Everyone Working In Birth Defect Attorney Should Be Able To Answer
What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing any expecting parent wants to be told is that their child could be born with a deformity. These birth defects may be caused by a variety of the pregnancy and can impact the mental or physical health of your child.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be used by a doctor to detect certain birth defects during pregnancy. Other birth defects can only be detected following the birth of your child or if symptoms begin to appear.

What Caused Your Child's Defect?

The reason for many birth defects is not known. There are some things that increase the chance of the mother having a child with a birth defect. Some of these include taking certain medications or prescription drugs prior to becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women who have a family history of these disorders are advised to speak with an expert on genetics prior to getting pregnant.

The degree to which a birth defect causes serious problems or not is dependent on the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. The more severe the defect is then the more severe the issues will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal growth. The chance of developing a birth defect can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history of genes and health issues or talking to a genetic counselor and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way an element of your body looks or functions. They can be obvious, such as cleft lips and cleft palettes, or invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Inherited genetic conditions can be a type of birth defects with structural causes. Environmental factors, like a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord or brain not being correct.

Find More Evidence than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that pregnant mothers may undergo to discover more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis can be one of them, where a healthcare provider takes an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for testing. This test can reveal chromosomal abnormalities, as well other health conditions, such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the blood, amniotic liquid and fetus's tissues for signs of a birth defect. These tests are crucial to determining the causes of birth defects. They also help determine the severity of birth defect and its effect on a child's adult life.

Some birth defects might not be recognized at the time of birth or, in some rare cases even after becoming an adult. These conditions are not detectable prior to their onset and are often only discovered with equipment for diagnosing. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the technology and have the knowledge and experience required to be able identify these flaws. A lawyer who has experience should be able identify the appropriate expert for your case.

Hire an attorney for Medical Malpractice

A child born with a severe defect or a severe birth injury can drastically alter the life of families. These injuries can create life-long physical and emotional issues that often require the need for a lifetime of medical treatment.

Medical science could explain up to 30% of birth defect cases however, many other cases are still a mystery. Research has proven that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, like those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications a mother takes as well as the toxic chemicals that the heart of some communities and in homes, or the contaminating groundwater and air.

Doctors are required to evaluate the dosage of medication taken by an expectant mother and inform her of any possible dangers to the embryo. If they fail to fulfill this obligation, they could be held liable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors are also required to assess the safety and efficacy of any equipment or procedure they recommend to pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a newborn baby if a doctor uses the equipment improperly or does not calibrate it properly. This would be considered malpractice. When this happens it's crucial to consult a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you can. In certain states, you have only one year to file a claim for medical malpractice and it's recommended to start the process as soon as possible.

Begin by completing the first Step

Birth defects are the main cause of infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These conditions could be life-threatening, and can result in permanent physical, cognitive and emotional problems. In some instances, scientists have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription or non-prescription medicines, toxins that are found in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications of pregnancy and birth, or medical history of the family (like genetic diseases like sickle cell diseases or PKU). In the majority of cases, the reason is unknown.

Some birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot, are easy to spot and are easily diagnosed at birth or within the first year of a child's existence. Certain birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, require tests specific to be identified.


Researchers are trying determine the cause of birth defects and how they can be prevented. For instance, women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their chance of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women with a family history involving genetic disorders that are passed down through generations may wish to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to conceive. They should also utilize the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information about medical conditions that can be traced through their families. birth defect lawyer boulder should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.

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