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Why Birth Defect Attorney Isn't A Topic That People Are Interested In.
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 issues are caused by things that happen during pregnancy and can impact the physical or mental health of your child.

Screening for newborns and prenatal tests can be used by a health care provider to determine the presence of certain birth defects during pregnancy. Other birth defects can only be detected following the birth of your child, or after symptoms start to show.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

The reason for many birth defects is not known. However there are a few things that increase the chance of having a child born with a defect. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications before pregnancy, having a family member with an abnormal birth or certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women with a family history of these disorders are advised to speak with an expert in genetic counseling prior to getting pregnant.

The severity of a birth defect in a child depends on the body part affected and how much is affected. The more severe the birth defect the greater the severity of the problems.

The majority of birth defects are caused either through genetics or environmental factors during fetal development. The chance of developing a birth defect can be decreased by educating yourself about your family's history of genes and health issues and speaking with an expert in genetic counseling and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way an area of your body appears or performs. They may be visible like cleft lips, cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Genetic disorders that are inherited could be a form of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, like the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal cord or brain not working as intended.

Get More Evidence than You Think

There are a number of medical procedures a pregnant woman can undergo to find out more about potential birth defects. One example is amniocentesis, which involves a healthcare provider taking a small sample of fetal fluid for analysis. This test could reveal chromosomal anomalies as well as 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 tissues of its umbilical cord for indications of birth defects. These tests are essential to determining the cause of birth defects. They also help determine the degree of a birth defect and its effect on the adult life of a child.

However, some birth defects can remain unnoticed until a child is born, or in rare instances, even as an adult. These problems aren't visible when they occur and are usually only detected by using diagnostic equipment. In these cases the medical expert witness must be conversant with the technology and have the training necessary to be able identify the defects. A lawyer who has expertise should be able to pinpoint the right specialist for your case.

Hire an attorney for Medical Malpractice

When a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers from a severe birth injury, it could completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can lead to permanent physical and mental problems that require medical attention for the rest of their lives.

Medical science is able to explain approximately 30% of birth defect cases, but many others are still a mystery. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances, such as those in prescription or over the counter medication taken by mothers and toxic chemicals found in communities and homes as well as contaminated groundwater and air may cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to review the pregnant mother's current medications, and advise her of any possible dangers to the foetus. When they fail in this duty, they may be held liable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors also have a responsibility to examine the safety of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines surgical tools, and any other equipment. It could be a serious risk for a newborn baby in the event that a physician uses the equipment improperly or fails to calibrate it correctly. This would be considered malpractice. birth defect law firm kent to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can if this happens. In certain states, you have only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice, so it's best to begin the process as soon as possible.

Step 1. Step

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality. They affect one in 33 babies every year. The condition can be life-threatening and can cause a myriad of cognitive, emotional, and physical issues. Scientists have in a few cases linked the causes of birth defects to the mother's exposures to prescription and over-the-counter medications, environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery and medical history of the family, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic diseases). In around 70% of cases, the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects are easily noticeable and can be detected at birth or in the first year. Other birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, are not as obvious and require tests of a different kind.

Researchers are working to understand what causes birth defects and how some of them can be prevented. For example smoking, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the likelihood of having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of inherited genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information about medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.

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