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What Causes a Birth Defect? The last thing a new parent wants to learn is that their child may be born with a deformity. These birth defects are caused things that happen during fetal development and can affect your child's mental or physical health. Prenatal screening and newborn screening can be used by a health professional to detect certain birth defects during pregnancy. Other birth defects may only be identified after the birth of your child, or after symptoms are evident. What is the reason for your child's defect? The root of the majority of birth defects is still unknown. There are a few factors that increase the chance of the mother having a child with birth defect. This includes using medications or taking certain medications before the birth, having a family member that has a birth defect or having certain medical conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease. Women who have a history of these disorders should speak with a genetic counselor about their options prior to getting pregnant. The severity of a birth defect in a child varies on the body part that is affected and how much is affected. The more severe the birth defect, the more serious the issues. Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal development. You can lessen the risk of developing a birth defect by consulting a genetic counselor as well as learning about the health history of your family and having a conversation with geneticists. Structural birth problems are those that alter how a specific part of the body appears or performs. They may range from the visible like cleft lips and cleft palate, but also the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome problems. Inherited genetic conditions are one type of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors, such as the lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects that cause spinal cord or brain not developing correctly. Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can. There are a variety of medical procedures that pregnant mothers may undergo to learn more about the possibility of birth defects. Amniocentesis, for instance, is in which a healthcare professional takes tiny amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct examination. This procedure may reveal chromosomal irregularities and other health conditions, such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies. A doctor can test the amniotic fluid, blood and the fetus's tissues to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are crucial to determining the cause of birth defects. They can also assist in determining how serious a birth defect will be and the impact it will have on a child in the years to come. However, some birth defects can be unnoticed until the baby is born, or in rare cases, as an adult. These problems are not easily identified until they are present and are often detected using diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the latest technologies and possess the education required to recognize the defects. A medical malpractice lawyer with years of experience will be able to determine the most appropriate specialist for your case. Employ an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice A child born with a severe defect or a serious birth injury can drastically alter the life of the family. These injuries can lead to long-term physical and mental issues and require medical treatment for a lifetime. Medical science could explain up to 30% of birth defect cases However, the majority of cases remain unsolved. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, including those that are found in prescription and over-the-counter medicines that mothers are prescribed and the harmful chemicals that working in some communities and homes, or contaminated air and groundwater. Doctors have a duty to review the pregnant mother's current medications and advise her about any dangers to the embryo. If they fail to fulfill this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects caused by medications. Doctors are also required to assess the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes xray machines, surgical tools, and other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses the equipment or fails properly calibrate the equipment it could have serious consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. If this happens, it's important to consult a medical malpractice attorney as quickly as you can. In certain states, you have only one year to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice and it's recommended to start 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 each year. These conditions are life-threatening and lead to many long term mental, emotional and physical problems. Scientists have in some cases connected the causes of birth defects to exposure to prescription and non-prescription drugs as well as environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during delivery and pregnancy, family medical history, or genetic illnesses (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic diseases). However, in approximately 70% of all birth defect cases the cause is unknown. Certain birth defects, including clubfoot or hearing loss, are easy to detect and can be detected either at birth or during the first year of a child's existence. Some birth defects, such as heart defects, intellectual and development disabilities, require specific tests to determine the cause. Researchers are working to understand the causes of birth defects and how some of them can be prevented. birth defect attorney thornton who drink, smoke or take illegal drugs when pregnant are more likely to having a child born with certain defects. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult with a genetic counselor prior to trying to have a baby. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information regarding medical conditions that run in their families and share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.