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What Causes a Birth Defect?

The last thing a new parent wants to hear is that their child may have a birth defect. These birth defects are caused by factors that occur during the fetal stage and could affect your child's physical or mental health.

A health professional can detect birth defects during pregnancy with the prenatal test or newborn screening. Other birth defects may be discovered only after the birth of your child or when symptoms start to show.

What caused your child's asymmetry?

Many birth defects remain unknown. There are certain factors that can increase the risk of the mother having a child with birth defect. One of them is taking drugs or certain medications before becoming pregnant or having an ancestral history of birth defects or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have a history of these disorders should talk to an expert in genetic counseling about their options before getting pregnant.

The extent to which a birth defect in a child can cause serious health issues or not is contingent upon the body part that is affected and how much of the body part is affected. The more severe the birth defect the more severe the problems.

The majority of birth defects are caused either by genes or the environment during fetal growth. The risk of having birth defects can be reduced by learning about your family's history with health and genetic issues, talking to a genetic counselor, and following the prenatal care guidelines.

Structural birth problems are those that alter how a particular part of the body appears or performs. They may range from the visible such as cleft lips and cleft palate, to the invisibly, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome disorders. Genetic disorders that are inherited are a kind of structural birth defect, and environmental factors like the lack of folic acid can lead to neural tube defects, which cause the spinal cord or the brain not developing properly.

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There are a variety of medical procedures a pregnant mother can undergo to learn more about a possible birth defect. One of these is amniocentesis which involves a healthcare provider taking a small sample of fetal fluid for analysis. This procedure can reveal chromosomal defects, as well other health conditions such as infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies.

A doctor can examine the amniotic liquid, blood and the fetus's tissues to determine if there are signs of birth defect. These tests are vital in finding out the reason for a birth defect. They can also help determine how serious the birth defect is and the impact it will be having on a child's his or her adult life.

Some birth defects might not be recognized until after the birth of a baby or, in some rare cases even after becoming an adult. This is due to the fact that these problems are not easily identified until they have been identified, and may only be identified with the use of diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the latest technologies and possess the knowledge and experience required to be able identify these flaws. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able to identify the right specialist for your case.

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A child born with a severe defect or severe birth injury can alter the life of the family. These injuries can cause permanent physical and mental problems and require medical treatment for the rest of their lives.

Medical science can pinpoint the root causes of around 30 percent of birth defects others remain unexplained. Research has shown certain chemicals and substances, such as those in prescription or over the counter medications taken by a mother, toxic chemicals in homes and communities or groundwater that is contaminated air may cause birth defects.

Doctors are required to evaluate the mother's current medication and inform her of any dangers to the fetus. If they fail to perform this obligation, they can be held liable for birth defects that are caused by medications.

Doctors are also required to assess the safety and efficacy of any procedure or equipment they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could cause serious harm for a baby's health when a doctor uses the equipment in error or fails to calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. It's important to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer immediately should this happen. In some states, you're only given a single year to file a medical malpractice case, so the sooner you start the process the more favorable.

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Birth defects are the leading reason for infant deaths. They affect one in 33 babies every year. These issues can be life-threatening, and can result in long-term physical, mental and emotional problems. Researchers have in a few instances identified the causes of birth defects to exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs and environmental toxins, maternal infections, complications during the birth and pregnancy and medical history of the family, or genetic diseases (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic diseases). But in about 70% of birth defects cases the cause is unknown.

Certain birth defects, such as hearing loss or a clubfoot are easy to see and can be identified at birth or within the first year of a child's life. Some birth defects, such as heart defects, intellectual and developmental disabilities, require tests specific to identify.

Researchers are trying determine the cause of birth defects and how they can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or take illegal drugs when pregnant are at a higher risk of having a child with certain defects. Women who have a family history of genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to get pregnant. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that run in their families and share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.