Is Depakote Linked to Spina Bifida?
Taking Depakote while pregnant could potentially be dangerous. The drug has been linked to cognitive problems (such as decreased IQ scores, autism, and Asperger syndrome) and physical birth defects among babies, including:
- Spina bifida
- Atrial septal defect
- Cleft palate
- Hypospadias
- Extra fingers or toes
- Craniosynostosis
If your child has suffered complications because of exposure to Depakote during pregnancy, you can speak to our attorneys who are studying the drug’s side effects.
Spina Bifida and Depakote
News reports now indicate that even when a woman stops taking Depakote after finding out she is pregnant, the drug may still injure the fetus.
One woman reportedly had issues getting pregnant and was surprised by the news that she was expecting a child. She had an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP screening test) at 18 weeks and another ultrasound at 21 weeks, finding out that the child had spina bifida. She then elected to terminate the pregnancy.
“I didn’t know I was pregnant until my ninth week and by that time the damage was already done,” the woman said.
Depakote Lawsuits
The law firm of Zoll & Kranz, LLC has brought numerous lawsuits against Abbott Laboratories, Inc. and AbbVie, Inc. accusing the drug manufacturers of making and distributing a very dangerous product (Depakote) and hiding Depakote’s true dangers from women who might be pregnant.
If you used Depakote or a related drug, and this caused a child to develop one of the cognitive problems or physical birth defects listed above, contact our attorneys. We use innovative technology to investigate claims and have a medical doctor on staff who is also an attorney. Your child should not have to suffer through life because of Depakote-related injuries.
Zoll & Kranz, LLC – Defective Medical Drug and Device Lawyers