According to one study, which analyzed more than 98,000 pregnancies, babies who were exposed to Depakote during the first trimester had 12 times the risk of being born with spinal bifida than babies not exposed to the medication. The study, published in the June 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine also found five more birth defects associated with the use of Depakote while pregnant.Those birth defects include increased risk of atrial septal defect, cleft palate, hypospadias (where the opening of the urethra in boys is on the underside of the penis or on the scrotum), craniosynostosis (where the skull bones close too early) and polydactyly (where the infant has more than five fingers per hand). Risks of those birth defects increased by two times up to seven times compared with babies who were not exposed to Depakote.
Researchers noted that the absolute risk of developing those conditions was low, between 0.1 percent and 0.7 percent. They also noted that the study could not prove Depakote caused the birth defects, just that it was associated with them.
The findings led researchers to recommend against using Depakote (known generically as valproic acid) during pregnancy.
READ MORE DEPAKOTE BIRTH DEFECT LEGAL NEWS
Like the previous study, the study examining academics cannot prove that epileptic medications caused the lower academic scores, only that there is a link between the use of the medications and lowered scores. There could be other social and genetic factors that play a role in those students receiving lower scores on academic subjects.
The FDA has recommended that women who could become pregnant should only use valproate if necessary to manage their medical condition. Women who are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, however, should not discontinue their medication without speaking to a medical professional, as there are risks to having uncontrolled seizures.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/nov/08/legal-aid-anti-epilepsy-drug
*http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/nov/29/epilim-legal-aid-flaws
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11707386
http://www.bexleytimes.co.uk/news/erith_and_thamesmead_mp_campaigns_to_overturn_decision_to_withdraw_legal_aid_in_landmark_case_1_737181
*http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/health/Cash-blow-birth-defects-case/article-2900744-detail/article.html
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/cumbrian-woman-pledges-to-fight-on-for-daughter-despite-legal-aid-setback-1.785097?referrerPath=home
*http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Petition-handed-PM-drugs-fight/article-2980049-detail/article.html
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23906206-mothers-plea-to-david-cameron-help-us-win-payout-for-our-disabled-girl.do
http://menmedia.co.uk/prestwichadvertiser/news/s/1388554_mum_takes_drug_fight_to_downing_street
http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news/27638/mums-brave-battle-against-drug-giants
*http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00cg5z7/Ben_Jackson_07_12_2010/ - 1:38 into broadcast
*Monday 08/11/10 BBC Radio 4 – World at One – Martha Carney
*Monday 15/11/10 BBC Radio Leicester – Live feed on Tony Wadsworth morning show.
*Monday 15/11/10 Channel 4 News – Parents walking into Royal Courts of Justice.
*Wednesday 10/11/10 BBC Radio Leicester Breakfast Show – Eloise Henderson
*Wednesday 10/11/10 Central ITV news at 18.00 - Gareth Owen
*Thursday 11/11/10 BBC East midlands today news 13.30, 18.30, 22.30 – Rob Sissions
http://www.theoneclickgroup.co.uk/news.php?start=4220&end=4240&view=yes&id=5625#newspost
http://www.techwatch.co.uk/2010/11/08/legal-aid-withdrawn-in-epilim-fight/
http://topnews.co.uk/216286-govt-withdraws-financial-support-epilim-case-likely-be-abandoned
http://topnews.ae/content/24795-epilim-case-likely-be-dropped
http://www.goodmanslaw.co.uk/blog/epilim-access-to-justice-
http://web.me.com/stevescrutton/Banned_Pharma_Drugs/Epilim.html
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6532-epilepsy-drug-may-harm-fetal-development.html
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article855922.ece
http://www.alexanderharris.co.uk/News/ClinicalDentalNegligence/Pages/AdversereactionstoepilepsydrugEpilim-casefacescutoffpoint.aspx
http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/99688/uk-families-denied-legal-aid-for-epilepsy-drug-sodium-valproate-court-case-against-sanofi-aventis.html
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/uk-class-action-lawsuit-over-sodium-valproate-birth-defects-733/
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL138575120081201
http://rowlands.maars.net/?p=6837
http://wn.com/HELENOR_-Victim_of_EPILIM_Valproate-plus_Body_Parts_-pt_3
http://article.wn.com/view/2010/11/08/Legal_aid_withdrawn_from_epilepsy_drug_families/
http://article.wn.com/view/2009/04/15/Epilepsy_drug_Depakote_in_pregnancy_linked_to_lower_IQ_in_ki/