Depakote Autism Side Effects
The Depakote lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing lawsuits for families of children diagnosed with autism, developmental delay or severe birth defects following use of the epilepsy drug during pregnancy. This month, another study has been published providing further support for the link between side effects of Depakote and autism among children exposed to the medication before birth.
Depakote (valproate) is an epilepsy drug approved by the FDA in 1983 and manufactured by Abbott Laboratories. In recent years, use of Depakote during pregnancy has previously been linked to an increased risk of severe birth defects and malformations, including spina bifida, cleft palate, abnormal skull formations and other health problems.
Mounting evidence is now making it clear that children also face a risk of autism and developmental delay from Depakote during pregnancy.
In the latest study on this issue, which was published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), suggests that the Depakote autism side effects may result in a three fold risk of children having a spectrum disorder later in life.
Danish researchers examined data on every child born in Denmark from 1996 to 2006, which involved about 6,56,000 children.
The study found that 4.4% of women who took Depakote while pregnant gave birth to a child who tested later in life on the autism spectrum. That compares to only 1.5% among the rest of the population.
According to conclusions highlighted by the researchers:
“Maternal use of valproate (Depakote) during pregnancy was associated with significantly increased risk of autism spectrum disorder and childhood autism in the offspring, even after adjusting for maternal epilepsy. For women of childbearing potential who use antiepileptic medications, these findings must be balanced against the treatment benefits for women who require valproate for epilepsy control.”
The study comes on the heels of data released earlier this year in the Lancet Neurology medical journal, which linked Depakote to developmental delays, including autism as well as cognitive impairment, reduced I.Q. and other mental problems.
Depakote Autism Lawsuits
The attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential lawsuits for families throughout the United States where a mother was given Depakote while pregnant and gave birth to a child who suffers from:
- Autism
- Cognitive Limitations
- Low I.Q.
- Developmental Delays
- Spina Bifida
- Cleft Palate or Cleft Lip
- Birth Defects or Malformations
Financial compensation may be available through a Depakote injury lawsuit as a result of the drug maker’s failure to adequately research the pregnancy risks and warn women about the problems their children may suffer if the epilepsy drug is used while pregnant. All claims are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no out-of-pocket expenses.
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