A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that certain medications may cause an increased risk of neural tube birth defects including spina bifida in children. Women that are pregnant, attempting to get pregnant, or may become pregnant should be aware that certain antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and other medications may cause an increased risk of birth defects. Further, parents with children that have spina bifia, neural tube birth defects, or other birth defects that they believe may be the result of a medication should report the adverse effect to their doctor and the FDA.
Spina bifida is the most common neural tube defect
and it is estimated that there are approximately 70,000 people
in the United State living with spina bifida. It is an all
too common birth defect in the United States affecting about
approximately 1,500 new born babies each year.
In a child that has a spina bifida birth
defect, the fetal spinal column doesn't close completely during
the first month of pregnancy. These children typically
suffer nerve damage from the birth defect that causes at least
some paralysis of the child's legs. Severe cases of spina bifida
can result in full or partial paralysis and other problems such
as hydrocephalus, bowel and bladder problems, and learning
disabilities.
Spina Bifida Is The Most
Common Type of Neural Tube Birth Defect: Spina Bifida Defects May Be
Caused By Certain Medications Given to a Mother Before
or During Pregnancy by Texas Spina Bifida Lawyer,
Drug Neural Tube Defect Lawyer, Infant Spinal Cord Defect Lawyer,
Brain Birth Defect Lawyer, Spina Bifida Defect
Lawyer, and Spina Bifida Dangerous Drug Lawyer Jason S. Coomer
There are several forms of spina bifida and
the birth defect can cause mild to severe health problems.
Myelomeningocele spina bifida is the most severe form of spina
bifida. Myelomeningocele is where the spinal cord and
meninges protrude from a spinal opening. In
myelomeningocele spina bifida cases, the new born child will
require surgery after birth to put the exposed nerves and cord
into the spinal canal. Children with myelomingocele are at high risk of infection until the
back is closed surgically. In spite of surgery, in these
myelomeningocele spina bifida cases, some nerve damage is
usually permanent and will include paralysis and bowel and
bladder problems.
Bladder and bowel problems as well as
paralysis are common in most forms of spina bifida. Both
spina bifida bowel and bladder problems as well as spina bifida
paralysis are caused by nerve damage. The nerves that
control bowel and bladder functions are damaged and unable to
work properly as the nerves that control other parts of the body
can be damages and unable to control other parts of the body.
These damaged nerves prevent the child from being able to
control their bodies including their bowels and bladder.
As such, many children suffering from severe spina bifida do not
have full control of the bladder and bowels. These spina
bifida bowel and bladder problems can often result in urinary
tract infections, suffer kidney damage, and incontinence.
Several forms of spina bifida can also cause
hydrocephalus, which is increased fluid on the brain. The
increased fluid or hydrocephalus can be caused when the fluid
around the brain cannot drain properly. In cases of spina
bifida hydrocephalus, the spina bifida defect will typically
block the fluid's normal path and will often require a shunt to
be placed in the child to drain the fluid from the brain and
reduce fluid pressure on the brain.
Meningocele spina bifida is the rarest type
of spina bifida where the protective membrane covering the
spinal cord (the meninges) develops incorrectly and protrudes
through an opening in the spine. Because this form of spina
bifida does not involve the spinal cord itself, meningocele
spina bifida can usually be treated through surgically and allow
children to develop normally without paralysis. However,
children with meningocele spina bifida can develop hydrocephalus
and bowel or bladder problems.
Occulta spina bifida is the mildest form of
spina bifida where there is a small defect, gap or malformation
in one or more of the vertebrae of the spine. In occulta
spina bifida cases, there is often no nerve damage or symptoms
for the child, but as the child develops problems may arise
through progressive neurological deterioration. Some affected individuals have a dimple, hairy patch,
dark spot or swelling over the affected area, and most affected individuals
with mild occulta spina bifida will
need no treatment.