What Causes a Birth Defect? It's the last thing that an expectant parent wants to hear: their child could be born with a birth defect. These problems are caused by things that occur during the development of the fetus and can affect your child's physical or mental health. A health professional can identify birth defects during pregnancy using the prenatal test or newborn screening. However, other birth defects may not be diagnosed until after the baby is born or when they start to develop symptoms. What caused your child's deficiency? The causes of the majority of birth defects is still unknown. There are some things which can increase the chances of a woman having a child with birth defect. Some of these include taking certain medications or prescription drugs prior to becoming pregnant, having a family history of birth defects, or having medical conditions such as rheumatic disease. Women who have a family background of these disorders are advised to speak with a genetic counselor prior to getting pregnant. The degree of birth defect in a baby is dependent on the body part that is affected and the degree to which it is affected. The more severe the defect is then the more severe the problem will be. The majority of birth defects are caused through genetics or environmental factors during fetal growth. The chance of developing birth defects can be reduced by learning about your family's history with genes and health issues by speaking to a genetic counselor, and following the prenatal care guidelines. Structural birth defects are those that change the way a part of your body appears or works. They may be visible, like cleft lips or Cleft palettes, but also invisible, such as chromosome disorders or metabolic conditions. Genetic conditions that are passed down through the generations can be a type of birth defects that cause structural changes. Environmental causes, such as the lack of folic acids, can cause neural tube defects that lead to the development of the spinal cord or brain not functioning properly. Find More Evidence Than You Think You Can. There are many medical procedures that pregnant mothers is able to undergo in order to find out more about a possible birth defect. Amniocentesis is one of them, which entails a doctor taking a small amount of fetal fluid for testing. This procedure can reveal chromosomal defects as well as other health issues like infections (such as Zika or rubella) or genetic anomalies. A doctor can test the amniotic fluid, blood and the fetus's tissues for indications of a birth defect. These tests are crucial in determining the cause of birth defect. They can also help determine how serious a birth defect could be and the consequences it could have on a child's their adulthood. However some birth defects can remain unnoticed until a child is born, or in rare instances, when an adult. These conditions are not detectable prior to their onset and are sometimes only detected with equipment for diagnosing. In these kinds of cases, it's crucial that the medical expert witness is knowledgeable about these technologies and has the right experience to spot these issues. A medical malpractice lawyer with experience should be able to identify the right specialist for your case. Employ a Medical Malpractice Attorney When a child is born with a severe birth defect or suffers a serious birth injury, it can completely turn a family's world upside down. These injuries can cause life-long physical and emotional problems which often require the need for a lifetime of medical treatment. While medical science is able to pinpoint the underlying causes behind about 30% of birth defects, others remain a mystery. Research has shown that certain chemicals and substances can cause birth defects, like those found in prescription or over-the-counter medications that mothers use, the toxic chemicals at work in some communities and homes, or in contaminated groundwater and air. Doctors are required to assess an expectant mother's current medications and advise her of any potential dangers for the fetus. If they fail in their duty, they can be held liable for birth defects caused by medication. Doctors are also required to assess the safety and effectiveness of any equipment or procedure they recommend to pregnant women. This includes x ray devices, surgical instruments and other equipment. This could have serious consequences for a baby if a doctor uses the equipment negligently or fails to calibrate it correctly. This is considered medical malpractice. In the event of this, it's important to speak with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you can. In certain states, you have only a single year to file a medical malpractice case, so the earlier you start the process, the better. Begin by completing the first Step Birth defects affect one out of 33 newborns each year and are a leading cause of infant death. The conditions are life-threatening and cause long-term mental, emotional and physical problems. In some instances, scientists have linked the causes to a mother's exposure to prescription or non-prescription medications, toxins found in the environment, maternal infections, complications of pregnancy and birth or a family medical history (like genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease, PKU). However, in approximately 70% of birth defect cases the cause is not known. Some birth defects are easily detectable and can be identified at birth or within the first year. Some birth defects, like heart defects or intellectual and developmental disabilities require tests specific to detect. Researchers are attempting to determine the causes of birth defects and how them can be prevented. Women who smoke, drink or use illegal drugs while pregnant increase their risk for having a child with certain defects. Women with a family history that involves genetic disorders inherited from their parents may want to consult a genetic counsellor before trying to have a baby. They should also use the March of Dimes family health history form to collect data regarding medical conditions that run in their families and then share it with their doctor or a genetic counselor.