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The Three Greatest Moments In Birth Defect Attorney History
What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing that an expectant parent wants to hear: their child may have a birth defect. These problems are caused by circumstances that occur during growing up and could affect the physical or mental health of your child.

A health professional can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy using prenatal tests or newborn screening. Other birth defects can only be detected after the birth of your child or when symptoms appear.

What caused your child's deformity?

Many birth defects remain unknown. However there are some factors that increase the likelihood of having a child with a defect. Some of these include taking certain medications or drugs prior to conception or having a family history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have an established history of these diseases should consult an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior to getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a baby is dependent on the body part affected and how severe the damage. The more serious a birth defect is, the more severe the problems.


Most birth defects are caused either by genetics or the environment during fetal growth. The risk of having birth defects can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history of health and genetic issues or talking to a genetic counselor, and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth defects alter how a particular part of the body appears or works. They may range from the visible like cleft lips and cleft palate, but also the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome problems. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a type of structural birth defect while environmental factors, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the spinal cord or brain not developing properly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can.

There are many 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 doctor collects small amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct examination. This test can reveal chromosomal defects and other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor may also test a fetus' blood or amniotic fluid as well as the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are essential in determining the cause of birth defects. They also aid in determining the severity of the birth defect is and the effects it could have on a child's their adulthood.

birth defect lawsuit memphis might not be recognized at the time of birth or, in rare instances, even as an adult. These issues aren't easily detected when they occur and are often only discovered with equipment for diagnosing. In these kinds of cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness involved is familiar with these techniques and has the correct knowledge to spot these issues. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney should be able to identify the most suitable expert for your particular case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A child born with a severe defect or a severe birth injury can alter the life of a family. These injuries can cause long-term physical and mental issues, requiring medical care for the rest of his life.

Medical science could explain up to 30% of birth defect cases but the rest are still unsolved. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, including those that are found in prescription and over-the-counter medicines that mothers are prescribed or the toxic chemicals at the heart of some communities and homes, or contaminated air and groundwater.

Doctors have a duty to examine a pregnant mother's current medications and advise her of any dangers for the foetus. If they fail to fulfill this obligation, they can be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors must also evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray equipment, surgical tools, as well as other equipment. It could be a serious risk for a newborn baby if a doctor uses the equipment negligently or does not calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. If this occurs, it's important to seek out a medical malpractice attorney as quickly as you can. In certain states, you have only one year to file a medical malpractice claim, so the earlier you start the process, the more favorable.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant death. They affect one in 33 babies every year. The conditions can be life-threatening and result in a variety of long-term physical, emotional and cognitive issues. Researchers have in a few instances linked the causes of birth defects to exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs or environmental toxins, as well as complications of motherhood, infections, the birth and pregnancy and medical history of the family, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). In the majority of cases, the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects are readily visible and can be detected when a baby is born or in the first year of life. Others, such as heart problems or intellectual and developmental disabilities are not as easy to identify and require tests that are specific to the condition.

Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how they can be prevented. For instance, women who smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chance of having a baby with a defect. Women with a family history of inheritance genetic disorders should consider seeing a genetic counselor before trying to become pregnant. They may 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.

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