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Some anticonvulsant medications, like Depakote, are being linked to birth defects according to a doctor is citing recent studies.
Victims of these anticonvulsant birth defects will possibly need financial assistance to provide the life-long medical care necessary for children born with conditions like spina bifida, heart malformations, or physical cleft injuries.
Depakote is one of the most widely used anticonvulsant drugs on the market, prescribed to individuals suffering from epilepsy, migraine headaches and bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, several official reports from such prestigious health agencies as the New England Journal of Medicine and the Food and Drug Administration are beginning to report a connection between Depakote use and significant development of birth defects in infants exposed to the drug within the uterus.
Among the birth defects possibly associated with the use of this anticonvulsant are such severe and potentially fatal issues as spina bifida, craniofacial defects (malformed face and skill), neural tube birth defects (defects of the brain and spinal cord) and cardiovascular malformations (defects of the heart and blood vessels).. The complications associated in these studies in New York City and Long Island have required lifelong medical attention and multiple reconstructive surgeries. Some of those birth defects have no cure, and extensive medical treatment is often required in order to simply alleviate the individual symptoms associated with the condition.
Physically and emotionally, a birth defect diagnosis can put a huge burden on a victim and his family; the financial aspect of treating a birth defect can severely drain a family as well.
Since the FDA has labeled Depakote a category D medication, a classification reserved for drugs with positive human evidence that shows the potential to cause serious harm to a fetus when taken during pregnancy, experts have taken up the cases of several affected families. Women who took Depakote during pregnancy and gave birth to a child with one or more birth defects should seek legal guidance from a qualified lawyer to determine the best course of action.
As new studies are conducted and as they reveal more information, New York Birth Injury Law Office, will review birth defect claims in order to help families of children affected. By contacting a New York Birth Injury Attorney and discussing the possibility of financial compensation, victims of alleged Depakote birth defects can seek help with costly medical expenses for children born with defects that may be associated with use of the anticonvulsant during pregnancy.