According to a story from BBC News, a total of around 20,000 people in the UK were born with spina bifida and major brain damage after their mothers were given valproate in order to treat epilepsy. The fact that valproate presents major risks for the developing child in pregnant women has been known for some time. However, many parents are saying that they were not made aware of the risks when they were prescribed the treatment.
Allegedly, this withholding of essential information persisted even after new health warnings for valproate were released in 2016.
The risks of birth abnormalities and defects increases by three times with use of the treatment. The condition spina bifida is a common result, and risks are associated with the strength of dosage and the use of other medications. Spina bifida is a condition in which the backbone and membranes are not completely closed around the spinal cord. If you would like to learn more about this condition, click here.
Other problems can also result from valproate exposure, such as unusual facial features, increased risk of autism, learning disabilities, developmental problems, and lower IQ. Sue Jenkinson was never told to stop or switch medications while she was pregnant with her two daughters, and both suffered from symptoms. More evidence is also mounting that the problems could be passed down through generations. Ryan, her grandson, was born with a bowel condition, dyspraxia, and learning disabilities as well. Many families are now calling for a public investigation and compensation for what has happened to their families. It should have been easily preventable, but they were not given the information necessary to make an informed decision about taking valproate.
Sanofi, the manufacturer of the drug, insists that it is has always been packaged with warning about possible developmental complications. Karen Buck’s daughter Bridget was born with severe brain damage and spina bifida. She is nineteen years old now, but her condition is deteriorating rapidly, and doctors say she only has months to live.
Clearly, at some point down the line, there was a systemic failure to warn the public about the effects of valproate during pregnancy. While hopefully the affected families will be compensated in the manner that the law permits, little can be done to repair the damage that has already been done.
