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Ten Things You Learned At Preschool That Can Help You In Birth Defect Attorney
What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing any expectant parent wants to hear: their child could be born with a birth defect. These problems are caused by things that happen during the development of the fetus and can affect your child's physical or mental health.

Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be used by a doctor to diagnose certain birth defects during pregnancy. However, other birth defects may not be detected until after the birth of your child or later, when they begin to show symptoms.

What caused your child's deficiency?

Many birth defects are still undiscovered. However there are several things that can increase the risk of having a baby born with a defect. These include taking prescription drugs or taking certain medications before pregnancy, a history of having a family member that 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 an expert on genetics prior to becoming pregnant.

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

Most birth defects are caused either by genes or the environment during fetal growth. The chance of developing a birth defect can be reduced by learning about your family's history with health and genetic issues by speaking to an expert in genetic counseling and following prenatal guidelines.

Structural defects are birth imperfections that affect how an element of your body appears or performs. They may be visible, like cleft lips or Cleft palettes, or they can be invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a kind of structural birth defect, while environmental factors like an absence of folic acids can lead to neural tube defects, which result in the spinal cord and brain not developing correctly.

Gather More Evidence than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures a pregnant woman can undergo to determine possible birth defects. Amniocentesis is a prime example, where a doctor collects an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for testing. This procedure may reveal chromosomal mutations and other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders.

A doctor may also test a fetus' blood as well as amniotic fluid and the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are essential in diagnosing the root of a birth defect. They also aid in determining how severe the birth defect is and the effects it could have on a child in the years to come.


Certain birth defects may not be detected at the time of birth or, in a few instances even as an adult. This is because the conditions are not detectable until they are present, and can sometimes only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these cases the medical expert witness must be conversant with the technology and have the education required to be able identify these defects. A seasoned medical malpractice attorney is able to determine the right expert for your particular case.

Employ an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice

When a child is born with a serious birth defect or suffers a serious birth injury, it can completely turn a family's life upside down. These injuries can lead to long-term physical and mental issues that require medical attention for the rest of his life.

Medical science may explain around 30% of birth defect cases but the rest are still a mystery. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, such as those present in prescription or over the counter medications that mothers use or the toxic chemicals at the heart of some communities and homes, as well as contaminated air and groundwater.

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

Doctors are also required to determine the safety and efficacy of any equipment or procedure they recommend to pregnant women. birth defect law firm new jersey includes x-ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment, or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could cause serious consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. In the event of this, it's important to seek out a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. In some states, you're given only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice therefore it's best to begin the process as soon as possible.

Start with the First Step

Birth defects affect one of 33 babies born each year and are a leading cause of infant mortality. These conditions can be life-threatening and result in a variety of long-term mental, emotional and physical challenges. Scientists have in some cases identified the birth defects' causes due to exposure of the mother to prescription and non-prescription drugs, environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during the birth and pregnancy and family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, or other genetic diseases). In the majority of cases, the cause is unknown.

Some birth defects are easily noticeable and can be detected at birth or in the first year of life. Some birth defects, like heart defects, developmental and intellectual disabilities, require special tests to determine the cause.

Researchers are trying to discover the root of birth defects, and how they can be prevented. For example smoking and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chance of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women who have a family history of inherited genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to get 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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