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What Causes a Birth Defect? It's not something that any expecting parents wants to hear: Their child may be born with a defect. These problems may be caused by a variety of circumstances that occur during pregnancy and can impact the mental or physical health of your child. A health professional is able to detect some birth defects during pregnancy by using prenatal testing or newborn screening. Other birth defects may only be identified after the birth of your child or when symptoms begin to appear. What caused birth defect attorney springdale ? Many birth defects remain unknown. However there are several things that increase the chance of having a child with defects. One of them is taking certain medications or prescription drugs before becoming pregnant or having a family history of birth defects or having medical conditions like rheumatic disease. Women who have a history of these disorders are advised to consult an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior to getting pregnant. The degree to which a birth defect can cause serious health issues or not is contingent upon which body part is affected and the extent of the body part affected. The more severe a birth defect, the more severe the issues. The majority of birth defects are caused either by genes or environment during fetal growth. You can reduce your risk of developing a birth defect by consulting with a genetic counsellor, learning about the health history of your family and talking with the geneticist. Structural defects are birth issues that affect how an element of your body appears or performs. They may range from the visible like cleft lips and cleft palate, up to the invisible, like chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic disorders that are inherited can result in birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental causes, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that lead to brain or spinal cord development not working as intended. Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can. There are many medical procedures pregnant mothers is able to undergo in order to learn more about the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis, for instance, is in which a healthcare professional takes an insignificant amount of fluid from the fetus for examination. This test can reveal chromosomal abnormalities and other health conditions like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies. A doctor may also examine the fetus's blood or amniotic fluid as well as the umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are crucial in finding out the cause of birth defects. They can also determine the severity of birth defect and its effects on a child's life. However certain birth defects may be missed until a baby is born or, in rare cases, as an adult. These problems aren't visible when they first appear and are often only discovered by using equipment for diagnosing. In these cases the medical expert witness should be acquainted with the techniques and the education required to be able identify 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 A child born with a serious defect or birth injury could completely alter the life of the family. These injuries can cause permanent physical and mental problems, requiring medical care for a lifetime. Medical science can explain about 30 percent of birth defects however, many other cases remain a mystery. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances, like those in prescription or over-the-counter medicines taken by mothers and toxic chemicals found in the community and in homes, or contaminated groundwater and air may cause birth defects. Doctors are required to evaluate the mother's current medications and inform her about any risks for the embryo. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication. Doctors also have a responsibility to assess the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a physician is negligent when using this equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could cause grave consequences for the baby. This is considered medical malpractice. It is crucial to get in touch with a medical malfeasance lawyer immediately in the event of this happening. In some states, you're allowed only one year to file a case for medical malpractice, so it's best to begin the process as soon as possible. Start with the First Step Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies born every year, and are a major cause of infant mortality. These conditions can be life-threatening and can result in a variety of long-term mental, emotional and physical challenges. In some instances, scientists have identified the causes as a mother's exposure to prescription or non-prescription drugs, toxins in the environment and maternal infections, the complications of pregnancy and birth, or family medical history (like genetic illnesses such as sickle cell disease, PKU). In the majority of cases, the reason is unknown. Some birth defects, like hearing loss or clubfoot are easy to spot and can be identified either at birth or during the first year of a child's existence. Others, like heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities, aren't as easily identifiable and require tests that are specific to the condition. Researchers are trying to figure out the root of birth defects, and how they can be avoided. Women who smoke, drink or use illegal drugs while pregnant are at greater risk of having a child with certain defects. Women with a family history involving genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to get pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes Family Health History form to gather information regarding medical conditions that are prevalent through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.