Many medications can also affect the development of the fetus, as can alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs.See Environmental toxins and fetal development. See Drugs in pregnancy. Genetic mutations
Genetic mutations can cause a wide variety of fetal malformations, ranging from relatively mild cleft lips to severe and even fatal deformities. Infection
Maternal infection may be transmitted to the fetus; this is called a vertically transmitted infection. The fetus has a weak immune system, so infections that are relatively minor in adults can be very serious in a developing fetus. In addition, some studies suggest that maternal infections increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia, in the child. Intrauterine hypoxia
Intrauterine hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation in the womb, can cause serious brain damage in the fetus. It most commonly occurs because of damage to or malformation of the umbilical cord or placenta. Intrauterine hypoxia can cause brain damage, including cerebral palsy and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. Maternal health issues
Certain maternal health issues can cause birth injuries. Gestational diabetes can cause premature birth, macrosomia, or stillbirth. Pregnancy complications
Complications such as placenta previa, placental abruption,  Placenta accreta, Retained placenta, Placental insufficiency, Placental infarcts, anemia, and preeclampsia can limit the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, increasing the risk of birth defects. Severe cases may be fatal to the fetus. Common types of birth injury
Brachial plexus injury
The brachial plexus is the plexus of nerves that lies between the neck and axilla and controls the motion of the arm and hand.
When a legal claim results, birth injury cases are a subset of medical malpractice cases. Legal claims from birth injury cases typically seek compensation for the medical costs associated with the injury, including ongoing therapeutic and medical support for the child.In order to prevail in a birth injury malpractice case, the plaintiff must show (1) that the medical care provider owed a duty to the child, (2) that the medical care provider breached that duty by failing to meet the accepted standard of care, (3) that the child sustained an injury that was caused by the medical care providers breach of duty to the child, and (4) the child sustained damages as a result of the injury. All four elements must be present in order for the plaintiff to win. == References ==