In 2003, a report by C. Barrett and A. Richens titled “Epilepsy and pregnancy: Report of an Epilepsy Research Foundation Workshop” published in Epilepsy Research aimed to identify factors that heighten the risk for congenital malformations in children born to mothers with epilepsy.

Since the publication of this article, scores of peer-reviewed studies have been published illuminating the danger antiepileptic drugs containing sodium valproate (Depacon, others) pose to a developing fetus.  Congenital malformation associated with Depacon include persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, spina bifida, cleft lip, and many others.

But when Barrett and Richens wrote this article, much of that research had not been performed.  Insightfully, this research team included the following statement in their paper:

“Retrospective studies suggest that impaired cognitive development may be associated with maternal drug therapy, particularly valproate. There is an urgent need to evaluate these risks and, with this in mind, several prospective registers have been set up to collect data from pregnancies in women with epilepsy.” (emphasis added)

Because Abbott Laboratories, the manufacturer of Depacon, has failed to warn customers and medical professionals about the risk for birth defects associated with Depacon, a number of Depacon lawsuits have been filed.

If you or a loved one used Depacon during pregnancy and your child was born with a congenital malformation, please do not hesitate to contact our team of Depacon lawyers for a free, no-obligation case consultation.

(855) 452-5529

justinian@dangerousdrugs.us

Our Depacon Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about Depacon.