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What Causes a Birth Defect? The last thing any expecting parent would like to hear is that their child might have a birth defect. These problems are caused by things that occur in the fetal period and can affect your child's mental or physical health. Testing for prenatal and newborns can be used by a doctor to determine the presence of certain birth defects that can occur during pregnancy. However other birth defects could not be identified until after the birth of your child or later, when they begin to show symptoms. What is the cause of your child's deformity? The cause of many birth defects is not known. However there are a few factors that can increase the chance of having a baby with a defect. This includes using medications or taking certain medications before the birth, having a relative with an abnormal birth or certain medical conditions, like rheumatic heart disease. Women who have an ancestral history of these conditions are advised to speak with an expert in genetic counseling prior to getting pregnant. The severity of a birth defect in a baby is dependent on the body part that is affected and how severe the damage. The more severe a birth defect, the more serious the problems. Most birth defects are caused by genes or the environment during the development of the fetus. The chance of developing a birth defect can be reduced by gaining knowledge about your family's history of genes and health issues or talking to an expert in genetic counseling and following the prenatal care guidelines. Structural defects are birth defects that affect the way a part of your body looks or functions. They can be visible, like cleft lips or cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic conditions. Genetically-inherited conditions may be a sign of structural birth defects. Environmental causes, such as the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal cord or brain not being correct. Find birth defect lawyer bellflower Than You Think You Can. There are a variety of medical procedures that pregnant women undergo to find out more about a potential birth defect. Amniocentesis is one example, which is when a healthcare professional collects small amounts of fluid from the fetus for examination. This procedure can reveal chromosomal modifications in addition to other health conditions, such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies. 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 crucial to finding out the causes of birth defects. They also help determine the extent of the birth defect and its impact on the adult life of a child. However certain birth defects may be missed until a baby is born or, in rare instances, when an adult. These conditions aren't readily apparent prior to their onset and are often only discovered by using diagnostic equipment. In these kinds of cases, it is crucial that the medical expert witness involved is familiar with these technologies and has the appropriate education to identify such defects. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer can help you identify the right expert for your case. Find a Medical Malpractice Attorney A child born with a serious defect or a serious birth injury can alter the life of the family. These injuries can lead to lifelong physical and mental challenges and require medical treatment for the rest of his life. Medical science can explain about 30 percent of birth defects but the rest remain a mystery. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances, like those found in prescription or over the counter medication taken by mothers and toxic chemicals found in communities and homes, or contaminated groundwater and air can cause birth defects. Doctors are required to examine a pregnant mother's current medications and advise her of any possible risks to the fetus. If they fail to meet this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medication. Doctors must also evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any equipment or procedure they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines surgical tools, and any other equipment. If a doctor is negligent in using the equipment, or fails to properly calibrate the equipment, it could lead to serious consequences for the baby. This would be considered malpractice. If this happens, it's important to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can. In some states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical negligence case, so the earlier you start the process, the more favorable. Step 1. Step Birth defects affect one out of 33 babies born each year and are the most common cause of infant death. The condition are life-threatening and lead to many long term cognitive, emotional, and physical difficulties. In some cases, scientists have identified the cause to be a mother's exposure to prescription and over-the-counter medications, toxins accumulated in the environment and maternal infections, the complications of pregnancy and delivery or a medical history of the family (like genetic diseases like sickle cell diseases or PKU). In the majority of cases, the cause is unknown. Certain birth defects are readily visible and can be detected either at birth or during the first year of life. Certain birth defects, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, require special tests to detect. Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how them may be prevented. Women who drink, smoke or consume illegal substances while pregnant are at greater risk of having a child born with certain defects. Women with a history of family members that includes inherited genetic disorders may want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to have a baby. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health history form to collect information about medical conditions that run in their families and discuss it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.