Craniofacial birth defects have been linked to the use of the anti-epileptic medication, Depakote, during pregnancy. There are four main type of cranifacial defects that can occur, but some of these are more common than others.
The first type of defect is the cleft palate and this occurs when the bones on the roof of a child’s mouth do not form completely and a gap is left between the mouth and nasal cavity. There is also cleft lip, which occurs when the lip does not form completely in the womb and usually occurs with a cleft palate.
These conditions usually require surgery so that the child can eat and breathe properly. Then there is Hemifacial Microsomia Syndrome that causes one half of the face to grow abnormally and craniosynosis that occurs when the bones that make up the skull are fused together preventing the skull from expanding as the brain grows.
If you or your child has experienced any of these birth defects after you were prescribed Depakote during pregnancy, contact the Depakote lawsuit lawyers of Williams Kherkher by calling 800-761-3187.