25 Surprising Facts About Birth Defect Attorney

What Causes a Birth Defect? It's the last thing an expecting parents wants to hear: Their child may be born with a defect. These issues could be the result of things that happen during growing up and could affect the mental or physical health of your child. Testing for prenatal and newborns can be utilized by a health professional to detect certain birth defects during pregnancy. However other birth defects might not be detected until after the baby is born or when they start to develop symptoms. What was the reason for your child's deformity? The causes of many birth defects is not known. However, there are a few factors that can increase the chance of having a baby born with defects. One of them is taking drugs or certain medications prior to becoming pregnant, having a family history of birth defects, or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women who have an history of these conditions should consult an expert on genetic counseling about their options before getting pregnant. Whether a child's birth defect causes serious issues or not will depend on the body part that is affected and the extent of the body part is affected. The more serious a birth defect is, the greater the severity of the issues. The majority of birth defects are caused either by genes or the environment during fetal growth. You can lower the risk of developing a birth defect by consulting a genetic counselor or a health professional, gaining knowledge about the background of your family, and speaking with an expert in genetics. Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way an element of your body appears or performs. They may be visible, like cleft lips, Cleft palettes, but also invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic disorders. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations can result in birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, like the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that result in brain or spinal cord development not working as intended. Find More Evidence Than You Think There are a number of medical procedures a pregnant woman can undergo to determine a potential birth defect. Amniocentesis is one of them, which involves a healthcare provider taking a small sample of fetal fluid for testing. This procedure can reveal chromosomal abnormalities, as well other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies. A doctor may also examine the blood of a fetus amniotic fluid, fetal blood and the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are crucial to determining the root of birth defects. They also aid in determining how severe a birth defect could be and the impact it will affect a child later in their adulthood. However, some birth defects can be unnoticed until the baby is born, or in rare instances, when an adult. This is because the issues are not readily apparent until they are present, and often can only be diagnosed using diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it is critical that the medical expert witness is familiar with these technologies and has the proper knowledge to identify such defects. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer can help you identify the most suitable expert for your particular case. Find a Medical Malpractice Attorney A child born with a serious defect or a severe birth injury can alter the life of families. birth defect attorneys clarksville can lead to lifelong physical and emotional issues that often require the need for a lifetime of medical treatment. Although medical science has been able to identify the root causes of around 30 percent of birth defects others remain unexplained. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances, such as those found in prescription or over the counter medicines taken by mothers or children, harmful chemicals in communities and homes as well as contaminated groundwater and air can cause birth defects. Doctors are required to assess the dosage of medication taken by an expectant mother and inform her of any possible dangers for the baby. If they fail to fulfill this obligation, they can be held responsible 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 equipment, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment, or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could have grave consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. If this occurs you should seek out a medical malpractice attorney as quickly as you can. In certain states, you have only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice therefore it's best to begin the process as soon as possible. Begin by completing the first Step Birth defects affect one out of 33 babies born every year, and are the most common cause of infant mortality. These issues can be life-threatening and can result in long-term physical, cognitive and emotional issues. Scientists have in some cases linked the causes of birth defects due to exposure of the mother to prescription or over-the-counter medicines and environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, the birth and pregnancy and family medical history or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). In around 70% of cases, the reason is unknown. Certain birth defects, including hearing loss or clubfoot are easy to see and can be detected either at birth or during the first year of a child's existence. Certain birth defects, like heart defects, developmental and intellectual disabilities, require specific tests to be identified. Researchers are trying to discover the cause of birth defects and how they can be avoided. For instance, women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their likelihood of having a child with a defect. Women who have a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor prior to trying to get pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health record form to gather information about medical conditions that run in their families and share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.