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What Causes a Birth Defect? It's the last thing any expecting parents wants to hear: Their child could be born with a birth defect. These issues can be caused by the fetal growth and can affect the physical or mental health of your child. A medical professional can detect birth defects during pregnancy by using the prenatal test or newborn screening. Other birth defects may only be detected after your child's birth or when symptoms are evident. What caused your child's deficiency? Many birth defects remain undiscovered. However there are a few things that can increase the chance of having a baby born with defects. Some of these include taking certain medications or prescription drugs prior to conception, having an ancestral history of birth defects or having medical conditions such as rheumatic illness. Women with an ancestral background of these disorders are advised to consult a genetic counsellor before getting pregnant. birth defect lawsuit chino hills of a birth defect in a child is contingent on the affected body part and the degree to which it is affected. The more severe a birth defect, the more severe the issues. Most birth defects are caused by genetics or the environment during the fetal development. You can reduce your risk of developing a birth defect by consulting a genetic counselor, learning about the health history of your family, and talking with geneticists. Structural birth defects are those that change how a part of the body appears or performs. They can be visible, such as cleft lips and Cleft palettes, but also invisible, like chromosome issues or metabolic disorders. Genetically-inherited conditions can result in birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental factors, for instance, the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal cord and brain not being correct. Gather More Evidence Than You Think You Can. There are many medical procedures that a pregnant woman can undergo to determine the possibility of a birth defect. Amniocentesis is one example, in which a healthcare professional takes small amounts of fluid from the fetus to conduct testing. This procedure can reveal chromosomal modifications as well as other health issues such as infections (such as rubella or Zika) or genetic anomalies. A doctor may also test the blood of a fetus, amniotic fluid and even the tissues of its umbilical cord for signs of birth defects. These tests are essential in determining the causes of birth defects. They also aid in determining how severe a birth defect will be and the consequences it could have on a child in the years to come. Certain birth defects may not be discovered until after the birth of a child or, in rare cases even as an adult. These issues aren't easily detected prior to their onset and are sometimes only detected through diagnostic equipment. In these instances, the medical expert witness must be knowledgeable with the technologies and have the training necessary to identify these issues. An experienced medical malpractice attorney will be able to identify the most appropriate expert for your case. Employ an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice If a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a devastating birth injury, it can completely turn a family's lives upside down. These injuries can create life-long physical and emotional issues which often require ongoing medical treatment. While medical science can identify the causes of about 30 percent of birth defects others remain unexplained. Research has found that certain chemicals and substances, like those in prescription or over the counter medications that mothers take, toxic chemicals in the homes and communities or groundwater that is contaminated air can cause birth defects. Doctors are required to evaluate the mother's current medications and inform her of any possible dangers to the fetus. If they fail in this duty, they may be held responsible for birth defects that are caused by medications. Doctors also have a duty to evaluate the safety of any procedure or equipment they recommend for pregnant women. This includes x ray equipment, surgical instruments and other equipment. If a doctor makes a mistake using the equipment or fails to properly calibrate the equipment it could cause grave consequences for the baby. This would be considered to be malpractice. If this happens, it's important to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can. In some states, you are only allowed one year to file a medical malpractice claim, so the earlier you start the process, the more favorable. Begin by completing the first Step Birth defects affect one out of 33 newborns each year, and are a major cause of infant death. These issues can be life-threatening, and can lead to permanent physical, cognitive and emotional difficulties. In some cases, scientists have connected the causes to mother's exposure to prescription or over-the counter medications, toxins found in the environment as well as maternal infections, complications during pregnancy and delivery or a medical history of the family (like genetic diseases like sickle cell diseases or PKU). In around 70% of cases, the reason is unknown. Certain birth defects are readily noticeable and can be detected when a baby is born or in the first year. Other conditions, such as heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities are not as easily identified and require tests that are specific to the condition. Researchers are working to understand the causes of birth defects and how some of them can be prevented. For example women who smoke and drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy increase their risk of having a baby with a defect. Women who have a history of family members with inherited genetic disorders should consult a genetic counselor before trying to get pregnant. They should also fill out the March of Dimes family health history form to gather information about medical conditions that run in their families and then share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.