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What Causes a Birth Defect? The last thing a expecting parent would like to learn is that their child may be born with a deformity. These birth defects are caused by factors that occur during the development of the fetus and can affect your child's mental or physical health. A health care provider can diagnose some birth defects during pregnancy by using prenatal testing or newborn screening. However other birth defects could not be diagnosed until after your child is born or when they start to develop symptoms. What caused your child's asymmetry? Many birth defects remain unknown. There are certain factors that increase the chance of pregnant women having children with a birth defect. This includes using medications or taking certain medications before the birth, having a family member who has birth defects or certain medical conditions, for instance rheumatic heart disease. Women with an ancestry of these disorders are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling about their options prior to becoming pregnant. The degree of birth defect in a child varies on the body part affected and the degree to which it is affected. The more severe the defect, the more severe the problems will be. Most birth defects are caused either by genetics or the environment during fetal development. You can reduce the chance of developing a birth defect by talking to a genetic counsellor as well as learning about the health background of your family, and meeting with the geneticist. Structural birth imperfections are those that alter how a part of the body appears or performs. They can range from visible like cleft lip and cleft palate, to the invisibly, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorder. Genetic diseases that are passed down from generation to generation are a kind of birth defect that is structural, while environmental factors like the lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which cause spinal cord or the brain not developing properly. Find More Evidence Than You Think There are a variety of medical procedures pregnant mothers is able to undergo in order to learn more about the possibility of a birth defect. One example is amniocentesis, that involves a doctor taking a small sample of fetal fluid for analysis. This test could reveal chromosomal anomalies and other health conditions, such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies. A doctor can examine the amniotic fluid, blood and the tissues of a fetus for indications of a birth defect. These tests are crucial to finding out the causes of birth defects. They can also assist in determining how serious the birth defect could be and the consequences it could affect a child later in their adulthood. Some birth defects might not be discovered until after the birth of a child or, in some rare cases even after becoming an adult. birth defect attorneys danbury aren't visible when they occur and are often only discovered by using diagnostic equipment. In these cases, the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the latest technologies and possess the knowledge and experience required to be able identify the defects. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you identify the most appropriate expert for your case. Hire a Medical Malpractice Attorney A child born with a serious defect or a severe birth injury can completely change the life of a family. These injuries can cause long-term physical and mental issues and require medical treatment for the rest of his life. Although medical science has been able to identify the causes of 30 percent of birth defects, many others remain unsolved. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances may cause birth defects, including those that are found in prescription or over-the counter medication that mothers take, the toxic chemicals at play in certain communities and homes, as well as contaminated groundwater and air. Doctors are required to assess an expectant mother's current medications and advise her about any risks for the baby. If they fail to fulfill this duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects that are caused by medications. Doctors must also evaluate the safety and efficacy of any procedure or equipment 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 cause grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered medical malpractice. If this occurs it's crucial to consult a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you can. In certain states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical malpractice claim, so the earlier you start the process, the more favorable. Start with the First Step Birth defects affect one in 33 babies born every year, and are a leading cause of infant mortality. These conditions can be life-threatening and can cause long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical issues. In some instances, researchers have identified the cause to be a mother's exposure to prescription or over-the counter 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 or PKU). However, in approximately 70% of birth defects cases, the causes are unknown. Certain birth defects are readily visible and can be detected at birth or within the first year of life. Other conditions, such as heart defects or developmental and intellectual disabilities are not as easily identifiable and require tests that are specific to the condition. Researchers are trying to discover the causes of birth defects and how some of these can be avoided. For example smoking or drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the chances of having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders that are inherited may want to consult a genetic counselor before trying to be pregnant. They should also utilize the March of Dimes Family Health History form to collect information regarding medical conditions that are prevalent through their families. This information should be shared with their doctor or genetic counselor.