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What Causes a Birth Defect? The last thing a expecting parent wants to hear is that their child could have a birth deformity. These birth defects could be the result of events that occur during fetal growth and can affect the mental or physical health of your child. A health professional can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy using prenatal testing or newborn screening. Other birth defects could only be detected following the birth of your child or when symptoms start to show. What caused your child's deformity? Many birth defects are still undiscovered. However there are some things that increase the chance of having a child with defects. These include using prescription drugs or taking certain medications before the birth, having a family member with an abnormal birth or certain medical conditions like rheumatic heart disease. Women with an established history of these diseases are advised to consult an expert on genetic counseling about their options prior to becoming pregnant. The degree to which a birth defect can cause serious health issues or not depends on which body part is affected and how much of the body part is affected. The more severe a birth defect, the greater the severity of the problems. Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal development. The chance of developing birth defects is reduced by knowing about your family's history with health issues and genes, talking to an expert in genetic counseling and following the prenatal care guidelines. Structural defects are birth problems that affect the way the body appears or functions. They can be visible, like cleft lips or cleft palettes. They can also be invisible, as with chromosome conditions or metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations may be a sign of structural birth defects. Environmental factors, such as the absence of folic acid can cause neural tube defects that cause the development of the spinal cord and brain not being correct. Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can. There are many medical procedures that pregnant mothers is able to undergo in order to discover more about the possibility of birth defects. One of these is amniocentesis which entails a doctor taking a small sample of the fetal fluid to be tested. This procedure may reveal chromosomal mutations in addition to other health conditions such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies. A doctor can examine the blood, amniotic liquid and the fetus's tissues for signs of birth defect. These tests are crucial in determining the root of birth defects. They also aid in determining how severe the birth defect is and the effects it could have on a child's his or her adult life. However some birth defects can go undetected until a baby is born, or in rare instances, when an adult. This is due to the fact that these issues are not readily apparent until they are present and can sometimes only be identified with the use of diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be familiar with the technology and have the education required to recognize these defects. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer should be able to identify the most suitable expert for your particular case. Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer A child born with a serious defect or birth injury can drastically alter the life of families. These injuries can lead to permanent physical and mental problems, requiring medical care for the rest of his life. Medical science may explain around 30 percent of birth defects but the rest remain unsolved. Studies have shown that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, such as those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medications that mothers use and the harmful chemicals that play in certain communities and homes, or contaminated groundwater and air. Doctors are required to examine a pregnant mother's current medications, and advise her of any potential dangers to the baby. If they fail to meet this obligation, they could be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication. Doctors are also required to determine the safety and effectiveness of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. This could cause serious harm for a baby's health when a doctor uses the equipment negligently or fails to calibrate it correctly. This would be considered malpractice. When this happens you should contact a medical negligence attorney as soon as possible. In some states, you're given only one year to file a complaint for medical malpractice therefore it's best to begin the process as soon as possible. Begin by completing the first Step Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies born each year and are the most common cause of infant mortality. The conditions can be life-threatening and result in a variety of long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical difficulties. Scientists have in some cases connected the birth defects' causes to the mother's exposures to prescription and over-the-counter medications and environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery and family medical history or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease, PKU, or genetic diseases). But in about 70% of birth defect cases, the causes are unknown. Certain birth defects, like hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to detect and are easily diagnosed at birth or in the first year of a child's life. Certain birth defects, like heart defects, intellectual and development disabilities, require tests specific to detect. Researchers are trying to figure out the causes of birth defects and how these can be avoided. For example, women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the risk of having a baby with certain birth defects. birth defect lawsuit santa clarita with a family history that involves genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to conceive. They can also use the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect data regarding medical conditions that are prevalent through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.