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


It's not something that any expecting parents wants to hear: Their child may have a birth defect. These defects could be the result of the growing up and could affect the mental or physical health of your child.

A health professional can identify birth defects in pregnancy through the prenatal test or newborn screening. Other birth defects can only be detected after the birth of your child or when symptoms begin to appear.

What caused your child's deficiency?

Many birth defects remain unknown. There are some things that could increase the likelihood of pregnant women having children with birth defect. These include taking prescription drugs or taking certain medications prior to pregnancy, a history of having a family member who has an abnormal birth or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women who have a family history of these disorders are advised to consult a genetic counselor prior to becoming pregnant.

birth defect law firm ohio of birth defect in a child is contingent on the affected body part and how severe the damage. Typically, the more severe the defect, the more severe the problems will be.

Most birth defects are caused by genes or environment during fetal development. You can reduce your risk of a birth defect speaking with a genetic counselor and learning about the health history of your family and speaking with the geneticist.

Structural birth defects are those that change how a particular part of the body appears or performs. They may be visible such as cleft lips and cleft palettes, or invisible, like chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Inherited genetic conditions could be a form of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal or brain not functioning as it should.

Find More Evidence Than You Think

There are many medical procedures that pregnant mothers can undergo to discover more about the possibility of birth defects. One of these is amniocentesis that involves a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid for analysis. This test may reveal chromosomal mutations as well as other health conditions like infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor can also test a fetus' blood amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are vital in diagnosing the root of birth defect. They also help determine the degree of a birth defect and its effect on the adult life of a child.

Certain birth defects might not be recognized until after a baby's birth or, in rare cases even as an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent prior to their onset and are often only discovered with equipment for diagnosing. In these kinds of situations, it is essential that the medical expert witness is familiar with these techniques and has the proper knowledge to recognize these defects. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer will be able to identify the right expert for your case.

Find an attorney for Medical Malpractice

A child born with a severe defect or a serious birth injury can alter the life of the family. These injuries can cause life-long physical and emotional problems and often require a lifetime of medical care.

While medical science is able to pinpoint the causes of about 30% of birth defects others remain unsolved. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances, such as those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications taken by a mother or children, harmful chemicals in communities and homes or groundwater that is contaminated air can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to evaluate the medication used by an expectant mother and inform her of any potential dangers for the foetus. If they fail in their duty, they may be held liable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors also have a responsibility to evaluate the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x-ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment, or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could lead to grave consequences for the baby. This is considered to be malpractice. It is essential to contact a medical negligence lawyer as soon as you can should this happen. In some states, you have only a single year to file a medical malpractice case, so the sooner you begin the process, the better.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects are the leading reason for infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These issues can be life-threatening and can lead to long-term physical, mental and emotional difficulties. Scientists have, in some instances, identified the causes of birth defects to the mother's exposures to prescription and over-the-counter medications, environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, the birth and pregnancy and family medical history or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease PKU, sickle cell disease, or other genetic illnesses). But in about 70% of all birth defects, the causes are unknown.

Certain birth defects, including hearing loss or clubfoot, are easy to detect and are easily diagnosed either at birth or during the first year of a child's existence. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, aren't as easy to identify and require specialized tests.

Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or take illegal drugs while pregnant are at greater risk of having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of inheritance genetic disorders should seek out a genetic counselor prior to trying to become 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.

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