25 Shocking Facts About Birth Defect Attorney

What Causes a Birth Defect?

It's the last thing an expecting parent would like to hear: their child may have a birth defect. These issues may be caused by a variety of the pregnancy and can impact the physical or mental health of your child.

Screening for newborns and prenatal tests can be utilized by a healthcare professional to detect certain birth defect lawyer defects during pregnancy. However other birth defects can not be identified until after the birth of your child or a few years later when they show symptoms.

What is the reason for your child's defect?

The reason for many birth defects is not known. However there are a few things that increase the likelihood of having a baby born with defects. One of them is taking certain medications or prescription drugs before becoming pregnant, having an ancestral history of birth defects or having medical conditions, such as rheumatic diseases. Women who have an history of these conditions are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling about their options prior getting pregnant.

The degree to which a birth defect causes serious issues or not is contingent upon the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. The more severe a birth defect, the greater the severity of the issues.

The majority of birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal growth. The chance of developing birth defects is reduced by knowing about your family's history with health issues and genes by speaking to a genetic counselor and following prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth defects alter how a particular part of the body looks or works. They may be visible such as cleft lips and cleft palettes, or invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations are one kind of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors such as an absence of folic acids can lead to neural tube defects, which can result in the spinal cord or the brain not developing correctly.

Gather More Evidence Than You Think

There are a variety of medical procedures that pregnant women undergo to discover more about possible birth defects. Amniocentesis can be one of them, where a doctor collects an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus to conduct analysis. This procedure can reveal chromosomal defects as well as other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can test the blood, amniotic liquid and fetus's tissues for signs of a birth defect. These tests are essential in determining the cause of Birth defect law firms defects. They can also assist in determining how serious the birth defect is and the effects it could be having on a child's the years to come.

However certain birth defects could be missed until a baby is born or, in rare instances, even as an adult. This is because the conditions aren't easily detected until they are present, and are often identified with the use of diagnostic equipment. For these types of cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness in question is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the correct knowledge to spot these issues. A lawyer who has years of experience will be able to determine the appropriate expert for your case.

Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a severe birth injury, it could completely turn the world of a family upside down. These injuries can cause permanent physical and mental problems and require medical treatment for the rest of their lives.

Medical science could explain up to 30 percent of birth defect cases however, many other cases remain a mystery. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances, such as those in prescription or over-the-counter medication taken by mothers, toxic chemicals in the community and in homes as well as contaminated groundwater and air, can cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to assess the medication taken by the expecting mother and inform her of any potential dangers to the baby. When they fail in this obligation, they can be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication.

Doctors also have the responsibility to examine the safety of any procedure or Birth Defect law firms device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray equipment, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses the equipment or fails properly calibrate the equipment it could result in grave consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. When this happens it is important to speak with a medical malpractice attorney as quickly as you can. In some states you have only one year to file a claim for medical malpractice and it's recommended to begin the process as soon as you can.

Take the First Step

Birth defects are the most common cause of infant mortality. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These conditions are life-threatening, and birth defect Law Firms can lead to lasting physical, cognitive and emotional difficulties. Scientists have in some cases connected the causes of birth defects due to exposure of the mother to prescription and over-the-counter drugs, environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during the birth and pregnancy or a family medical history or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic diseases). But in about 70% of all birth defects the causes are not clear.

Certain birth defects, such as hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to detect and can be detected at birth or within the first year of a child's life. Other conditions, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities are not as easily identified and require special tests.

Researchers are trying determine the cause of birth defects and how they can be prevented. For example, women who smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the likelihood of having a child with a defect. Women with a history of family members that includes genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counsellor prior to trying to be pregnant. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data on medical conditions that run through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.