INCREASED RISK OF BIRTH DEFECTS IN NEWBORNS
Taking care of a newborn is challenging. And when a child is born with birth defects, it can be all the more challenging for parents and caretakers. Unfortunately, too many families are familiar with the emotional and financial struggles of rearing a newborn with birth defects caused by Zofran exposure in the womb; they understand the endless hospital visits, surgical operations, and fear of losing a new and precious life.
The maker of Zofran could’ve prevented this suffering. They could’ve been open and honest about Zofran birth defects. However, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the pharmaceutical giant behind Zofran, was not open and honest. Instead, GSK actively, and some would use the word aggressively, marketed Zofran to pregnant women to treat nausea and vomiting.
GSK made pregnant mothers feel that Zofran (ondansetron), an anti-nausea drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1991 to treat chemotherapy patients, was safe. Sadly, mothers who were led to believe that a harmful drug was safe found out too late that their children suffered from one or more birth defects.
Zofran is strongly linked to heart defects, especially a defect known as a “hole in the heart”. The medical term for a “hole in the heart” is an atrial septal defect or a ventricular septal defect.
Danish Study
A study, published in August 2013, and conducted by a group of Danish researchers, found that there was “a doubling in the prevalence of major congenital heart defects in children whose mothers ingested Zofran during the first trimester of pregnancy.”
This study reviewed almost 900,000 births from 1997 – 2010.
BioMed Study
BioMed Research International published a study in December 2013. Researchers concluded that there “was a 20% increased risk of a major birth defect amongst children exposed to ondansetron in the first trimester.”
Reproductive Toxicology Study
A team of Swedish researchers published their study in Reproductive Toxicology in October 2014. They reviewed births from 1998 – 2012, and found that the “risks for a cardiovascular defect and notably a cardiac septum defect were increased and statistically significant”.
If you or someone you love used Zofran during the first trimester of pregnancy, and a child was born with birth defects, then you or your loved one may be eligible to receive compensation.
Contact Carey Danis & Lowe for a free case consultation. One of our Zofran lawyers will walk you through your legal options, and whether filing a Zofran birth defect lawsuit is right for you.
You can reach Carey Danis & Lowe by phone at 800.721.2519, or by completing a confidential personal injury claim form.
Sources
Danish Study: https://bit.ly/1fsIUX8
BioMed Study: https://1.usa.gov/1MAMlrL
Reproductive Toxicology Study: https://1.usa.gov/1HYznhf
Talk to an attorney or nurse about your case.
Please call 1-800-721-2519 or submit a form for a free consultation.
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