The Role of Medications in Birth Injuries 

The effects that many prescription medications can have on a baby in utero are often serious enough to lead to birth defects or birth injuries. This is why you should always consult with your obstetrician about any medicines you need to take while you are pregnant, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Expectant mothers are often unsure whether certain medications are harmful to a developing infant. Besides talking to your doctor, gathering information from pharmaceutical manufacturers is a great place to start when looking into the dangers that may be associated with specific medications.

Medications Known to Cause Birth Injuries

Accutane

Accutane, also called isotretinoin, is a prescription medication that is used to treat some extreme forms of acne, such as nodular acne, as well as certain cancers. When used during pregnancy, however, it can cause severe complications. In fact, the problems that could potentially arise are so serious that many women who are prescribed Accutane agree to also take birth control to prevent pregnancy.

When Accutane is taken during gestation, it can lead to miscarriages, premature births, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and a range of issues, such as:

• Ear problems, including missing or small ears and hearing loss  
• Blindness
• Cleft palate
• Heart defects
• Microcephaly

Antibiotics

While some antibiotics are perfectly safe to take while you are pregnant, others can seriously injure an unborn baby.

Tetracyclines should not be taken past the 5th week of gestation, which is tricky since many women have no idea they are pregnant until a bit later. When taken during pregnancy, tetracyclines can result in tooth discoloration and issues with bone development in infants.

Sulfonamides should not be taken anytime in the first trimester or near the due date. Problems that can arise include:

• Cleft palate and lip
• Heart conditions
• Jaundice

Cervidil and Cytotec 

Almost 25% of births in the United States are induced through the use of Cervidil, a vaginal insert, or Cytotec, an oral medication. Both drugs cause the cervix to dilate and help prompt strong contractions that will move the birthing process along. 

• Cervidil: Side effects on newborns include hyperstimulation. They are also at risk of hypoxia, which could lead to a condition called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. One of the many conditions that can stem from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is cerebral palsy. Serious brain damage and death are also potential side effects associated with Cervidil.
• Cytotec: Side effects on newborns include placental abruption, uterine rupture, and hyperstimulation, all of which are also potentially harmful to the mother and her future ability to bear children. Cytotec can also disrupt the oxygen flow to a baby. Oxygen deprivation, medically termed “hypoxia”, can cause severe birth injuries such as: 
  • Seizure disorders
  • Intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • Cerebral palsy

Diethylstilbestrol

Diethylstilbestrol is a synthetic estrogen that, at one time, was used to prevent miscarriages and other pregnancy complications and treat perimenopause symptoms. In 1971, however, a link was established between the use of DES and increased risks of vaginal and cervical cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma.

Eventually, the Food and Drug Administration decided that DES should stop being prescribed to pregnant women once it was determined that it also increased the risks of developmental abnormalities and birth defects in babies born to mothers who took it during their pregnancy.

Diflucan 

Diflucan is a popular antifungal medication that is used in the treatment of vaginal yeast infections. Although it is common for pregnant women to develop yeast infections, Diflucan should not be taken prior to the 20th week of gestation. Using it before then increases the risk of heart defects.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs  

Although nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs like aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Motrin), are commonly used to manage pain, they should not be taken during pregnancy since they can lead to low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios) and fetal kidney problems. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is often recommended for treating pain during pregnancy.

Pitocin

A synthetic form of oxytocin, Pitocin is a drug administered intravenously to induce labor. It works by causing the cervix to dilate quicker, allowing for an easier birth with a much lower risk of complications. Pitocin is only to be given to mothers who are past their due date. 

The effects of Pitocin on a newborn are typically associated with the consequences of the contractions occurring too frequently and can include:

• Respiratory problems
• Jaundice
• Difficulty maintaining body temperature
• Difficulty breastfeeding
• Developmental delays
• Increased risk of autism

Although rare, Pitocin can also result in maternal injuries including:  

• Seizures
• Excessive bleeding
• Severe allergic reactions
• Uterine rupture
• Uterine hyperstimulation

Thalidomide 

Thalidomide is a drug that used to be prescribed to pregnant women for the treatment of morning sickness until it was found to cause severe fetal birth defects. The most common is phocomelia, a defect that is characterized by hands connected to the shoulders with arms that are either underdeveloped or nonexistent. In some instances, phocomelia can also involve the legs and feet.

Other birth defects resulting from the use of Thalidomide may include:

• Additional toes
• Heart defects
• Paralysis of the facial nerves
• Internal organ defects
• Clubbed feet
• Thumbs with an extra bone or missing thumbs

Thalidomide has also been linked to stillbirths and miscarriages.  

Zofran 

Zofran is a drug that is considered to be relatively safe during pregnancy. A few studies have, however, suggested that it can cause heart defects and cleft palate. Although the odds are quite small, the Food and Drug Administration has noted that pregnant women who have metabolic issues and/or nutritional deficiencies caused by severe nausea are at a greater risk of having babies with injuries or defects. 

Warfarin 

Warfarin, also known as Coumadin, this drug is a blood thinner used to treat deep vein thrombosis. If pregnant women take Warfarin during the early stages of gestation, it can cause a miscarriage. When taken later in the pregnancy, it comes with the risk of a fetal brain bleed. Women who are prescribed Warfarin are advised to use contraception or take birth control. 

Help for Families Who Have Experienced Birth Injuries

It is worth mentioning that proving liability for birth injuries against a drug company, pharmacist, or doctor requires a comprehensive investigation, expert witnesses, and proof that the drug was the direct cause of the harm. Consulting with a skilled Dallas birth injury attorney who specializes in pharmaceutical litigation and medical malpractice is vital to determining the merits of your potential case as well as navigating the complex legal process.

If your child has a birth injury or defect, an experienced birth injury lawyer can get them the help they need. Choosing an attorney with years of experience handling birth injury cases will improve your odds of a successful case result. The Dallas birth injury lawyers at Rasansky Law Firm can help. Call us at (214) 651-6100 or fill out the contact form on our website to schedule your free consultation.