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What Causes a Birth Defect? It's not something that any expecting parents wants to hear: their child could be born with a birth defect. These defects are caused by the things that happen during fetal development and can affect your child's mental or physical health. Prenatal testing and newborn screening can be used by a health professional to diagnose certain birth defects during pregnancy. However other birth defects might not be detected until after your child is born or later, when they begin to show symptoms. What was the cause of your child's error? Many birth defects are still undiscovered. However, there are a few things that can increase the risk of having a child with defects. One of them is taking drugs or certain medications before becoming pregnant, having a family history of birth defects or having certain medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have a family history of these conditions are advised to consult an expert in genetic counseling prior to becoming pregnant. The degree of birth defect in a child varies on the body part affected and how much is affected. The more severe the birth defect, the greater the severity of the issues. Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during fetal development. You can lower the risk of a birth defect consulting with a genetic counsellor and learning about the health history of your family, and speaking with an expert in genetics. Structural defects are birth issues that affect how the body appears or functions. They can range from the visible such as cleft lips and cleft palate to the invisible, such as metabolic disorders or chromosome problems. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations may be a sign of structural birth defects. Environmental causes, such as a lack folic acid, can cause neural tube defects that cause brain or spinal cord development not working as intended. Find More Evidence Than You Think There are a number of medical procedures pregnant women undergo to learn more about the possibility of a birth defect. One of them is amniocentesis which involves a medical professional taking a small amount of fetal fluid to test. This test may reveal chromosomal mutations and other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic disorders. A doctor can test the blood, amniotic liquid and fetus's tissues for signs of birth defect. These tests are essential in determining the cause of birth defects. They also aid in determining how severe the birth defect could be and the effects it could be having on a child's their adulthood. However certain birth defects may go undetected until a baby is born, or in rare instances, when an adult. These issues aren't easily detected prior to their onset and are usually only detected through diagnostic equipment. In these instances the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the technologies and have the necessary training to be able to spot these defects. A lawyer who has expertise should be able to pinpoint the appropriate expert for your case. Employ a Medical Malpractice Lawyer A child born with a severe defect or a serious birth injury can drastically alter the life of families. These injuries can create life-long physical and psychological challenges that often require an entire lifetime of medical attention. Medical science can explain about 30% of birth defect cases however, many other cases remain a mystery. Research has revealed that certain chemicals and substances, like those found in prescription or over the counter medication taken by mothers or children, harmful chemicals in communities and homes, or contaminated groundwater and air can cause birth defects. Doctors are required to assess the medications taken by the mother-to-be and inform her of any possible dangers to the foetus. If they fail in their duty, they may be held accountable for birth defects caused by medication. Doctors are also required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of any procedure or device they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x-ray machines, surgical instruments, and other equipment. If a doctor negligently uses the equipment or fails correctly calibrate the equipment, it could cause grave consequences for the baby. This is a case of malpractice. If this occurs it is important to speak with a medical malpractice attorney as quickly as you can. In some states, you have only a single year to file a medical negligence case, so the sooner you start the process the better. Start with the First Step Birth defects affect one out of 33 babies born each year, and are a leading cause of infant mortality. These issues can be life-threatening, and can lead to long-term physical, cognitive and emotional problems. Scientists have in a few cases connected the birth defects' causes in mothers' exposure to prescription and over-the-counter drugs, environmental toxins, complications of motherhood, infections, delivery and pregnancy and medical history of the family, or genetic disorders (like sickle cell disease PKU, also known as genetic diseases). In about 70% of cases, the reason is unknown. birth defect attorney cedar rapids are readily visible and can be detected either at birth or during the first year. Some birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities, require specific tests to detect. Researchers are trying to figure out the cause of birth defects and how they can be prevented. For instance smoking or drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy increase the risk of having a baby with certain birth defects. Women with a family history involving inherited genetic disorders may want to consult with a genetic counselor before trying to have a baby. They should also utilize the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that are prevalent in their families and share it with their doctor or genetic counselor.