Spina Bifida (Myelomeningocele) Side Effects, Birth Defects. Spina Bifida (Myelomeningocele) is a birth defect in which the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth. If your child was born with Spina Bifida, which is one of the most common neural tube birth defects, has been associated with certain medications taken during pregnancy.
These medications include the fertility drug Clomid, as well as sePaxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, and other Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, either right before or during pregnancy. If your baby was born with ‘Spina Bifida’ that may be the result of a medication, you may be entitled to compensation.
‘Spina Bifida’ is a devastating birth defect that can cause permanent disability. If your baby’s ‘Spina Bifida’ was caused by a drug like Clomid, or an antidepressant such as Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa, or Lexapro, you can make sure the pharmaceutical company responsible is held accountable. The defective drug lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP, LLP understand how devastating ‘Spina Bifida’ can be, and we will do everything possible to get retribution for those harmed by negligent drug companies. By filing a ‘Spina Bifida’ lawsuit, you may be able to obtain compensation to cover the cost of your child’s medical bills and therapy, as well as pain and suffering for your family. The ‘Spina Bifida’ lawyers at our firm offer free lawsuit consultations to the victims of Clomid and SSRI antidepressants. To learn how they can help your family, we urge you to contact us today by completing our online form or calling us at 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
Spina Bifida Types and Symptoms
Spina bifida is a birth defect in which the spinal column does not fully form. Spina Bifida is characterized by dimpling of the sacrum, a tuft of hair at the sacral area, and/or the protrusion of a sac-like structure from the middle to lower back. The exposure of the spinal cord can lead to spinal infections such as meningitis and a condition known as hydrocephalus, in which the fluid of the brain does not circulate properly between the brain and the spinal cord.
There are three types of Spina Bifida:
- Myelomeningocele: a form of spina bifida in which the spinal cord and meninges (the membranes covering the spinal cord) protrude out of the infant’s back
- Meningoceles: a form of spina bifida in which the meninges protrude out of the infant’s back but the spinal cord remains in place
- Spina bifida occulta: a form of spina bifida in which the spinal cord and meninges remain in place and are covered by the skin,/li>
Symptoms of Spina Bifida include:
- Weakness in the feet, legs, or hips
- Partial or complete paralysis of the lower body
- Lack of bladder control
- Lack of bowel control
‘Spina Bifida’ is usually treated surgically at an early age to lessen neurological damage. This surgery may include the insertion of a shunt to treat hydrocephalus. Patients are usually put on antibiotics in order to ward off infections including meningitis and urinary tract infections. It is not known what causes ‘Spina Bifida’, but experts have theorized that a virus or folic acid deficiency may be to blame. Certain medications used during or right before pregnancy may also put newborns at risk. For example, recent studies have shown that taking Paxil and other SSRI antidepressants cause an increased risk for ‘Spina Bifida’. Wu, et al. (2006) found a 10-fold increased risk in spina bifida in children whose mothers had taken Clomid just before or during pregnancy.
Need Legal Help Regarding Spina Bifida?
The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
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