Oral Clefts: A Serious Risk To Children Born To Women Taking Topamax

Oral Clefts Occur in 1-2 in Every 1,000 Births

Oral clefts – namely cleft lip and cleft palate – occur in about 1-2 in every 1,000 births in the United States, which makes it one of the most common birth defects. Though not life threatening, the clefts are a serious disfigurement, and can cause underdevelopment in a child’s ability to speak. Furthermore, it may contribute to inadequate nutritional intake.

Topamax and Birth Defects: A Dangerous Risk

Topamax has been connected to a variety of dangerous risks, but one of the most common is the likelihood of children born to women taking the medication during pregnancy developing this condition. Some studies have shown that such children are up to 20 times more likely to suffer oral clefts than other children.

Oral Cleft Definition

An oral cleft occurs when parts of the lip or palate – the roof of the mouth – do not fuse together properly. Typically, this happens within the first three months of fetal development, so the damage may be done even before the woman realizes she is pregnant. The cleft can range from a small notch in the lip to a full crevice extending into the nose. It is possible that a child may have either a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or suffer from both, as each develops separately.

Oral Cleft Surgery

Though this condition may be detected during pregnancy, it requires physical examination after birth to determine the extent of the defect and the treatment necessary. Depending on whether the defect has affected the lip or the palate, the surgery will likely take place between three months to a year after the child is born. A cleft palate is typically a more serious condition and the greater extent the palate is affected, the later the surgery will have to occur. The goal of oral cleft surgery is to return the lips and/or palate to a condition that works well for speech.

Oral Cleft Problems Throughout Life

As the children grow older, they may require more surgeries because as their features continue to develop, the repaired cleft may not grow properly. The child may also require special dental treatment depending on the effect the cleft has on the forming of the child’s mouth. Additionally, it is common for children with repaired oral clefts to require speech therapy as they grow into adolescence.

Cleft Palate Lawsuits

Oral clefts are a serious problem for children’s development – both in terms of their physical appearance and self-esteem. There is evidence that Ortho-McNeil released Topamax to the public without apprising them of all the risks and you could have a claim against the pharmaceutical company if your child has suffered from oral clefts as a result of your Topamax prescription. For a free consultation about cleft palate lawsuits with a Topamax lawyerfrom the Rottenstein Law Group, please fill out this brief contact form.