Depakote Craniofacial Deformities

What are Craniofacial Deformities?

Craniofacial deformities or disorders refer to a single or set of congenital birth defects involving abnormalities in the growth and development of a fetus or baby's face and/or the head. Craniofacial differences can result from abnormal growth and development patterns of the face, skull, or both the face and skull, involving soft tissue and/or bones. No single cause has been identified for these types of deformities and defects. The development of the face and skull is coordinated by complex morphogenetic events and rapid proliferative expansion, and is thus highly susceptible to teratogenic drugs (anti-epileptics such as Depakote, Depakene, Depakote ER, Depakote Sprinkle, Divalproex Sodium, Valproate Sodium and Valproic Acid), environmental and genetic factors.

Causes of Craniofacial Deformities

During the first six to eight weeks of pregnancy, the shape of the embryo's head is formed. Five primitive tissue lobes grow, and if these tissues fail to develop or meet and fuse correctly, craniofacial deformities occur. This may happen in any single joining site, or simultaneously in several or all of them. The resulting birth defect reflects the locations and severity of individual development and fusion failures. Several syndromic examples of craniofacial deformities are:

Apert Syndrome

Apert syndrome is a condition involving abnormal growth of the skull and the face due to early fusion of certain sutures of the skull. Children with Apert's have bulging eyes that are usually wide-set and tilted down at the sides. They usually have problems with teeth alignment due to the underdevelopment of the upper jaw. Some have cleft palate. Among other anomalies, children with Apert syndrome may have webbed fingers and toes.

Carpenter Syndrome

Carpenter syndrome belongs to a group of rare disorders known as acrocephalopolysyndactyly or ACPS disorders. All forms of ACPS are characterized by webbing or fusion (syndactyly) of certain fingers or toes (digits); and/or more than the normal number of digits (polydactyly), and by the premature closure of the fibrous joints (cranial sutures) between certain bones of the skull which is known as craniosynostosis, causing the top of the head to appear pointed, or cone shaped (acrocephaly).

Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis means fused bones of the skull. It is a condition that some children are born with or later develop. To better understand craniosynostosis, it is helpful to know that our skulls are not made up of one single "bowl" of bone. Instead, different bones that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle make up the skull. The areas where the bones meet one another are called sutures. As a baby grows the brain rapidly increases in size. According to current theories of growth, the growing brain pushing on the bones of the skull causes the skull bones to expand or grow. When one of these sutures is fused too early, it is called craniosynostosis. There will be no growth in this area. This inability to grow in one area may lead to overgrowth in another area, which results in an abnormally shaped skull.

Crouzon Syndrome

Crouzon syndrome is a condition in which sutures in the head are prematurely fused resulting in abnormal growth of the skull and face. Children with Crouzon's have bulging eyes due to abnormal growth of the mid-face. They may have a receding upper jaw and protruding lower jaw. They may have problems with teeth due to abnormal jaw growth.

Facial Palsy

Facial Palsy is a congenital deformity that dates from birth, which causes complete or partial paralysis of the facial motion. The act of facial motion starts in the brain and travels through the facial nerves to the muscles in the face. These muscles then contract in response to a stimulus. Inside the skull, the facial nerve is a single nerve. Once the nerve is traced outside the skull, it branches into many smaller limbs that go to many different facial muscles. These muscles control facial expression. The coordinated activity of this nerve and these muscles cause motions such as smiling, blinking, frowning, and a full range of normal facial motions. Birth defects affecting the brain, the facial nerve, the cranium, or the muscles of the face can cause facial palsy.

Frontonasal Dysplasia

Frontonasal Dysplasia, also known as Median Cleft Face Syndrome, is a condition in which the nose has a flat, wide appearance, and the eyes may be wide-set. There is a groove of varying degrees, which runs down the middle of the face across the nose. In some cases the tip of the nose is missing. A gap with extra folds of skin covering it may appear on the front of the head.

Hemifacial Microsomia/Goldenhar Syndrome

Hemifacial Microsomia/Goldenhar syndrome is a condition in which the lower half of one side of the face does not grow normally. The most obvious sign of this condition is a partially formed ear or total absence of an ear. In Goldenhar syndrome benign growths of the eye (epibulbar dermoids) are present. Children with Goldenhar syndrome may also have neck problems, which are most commonly caused by a fusion or bony bridges between the bones of the neck.

Microtia/Artresia

Microtia/artresia is an incompletely formed ear. It may be just a small ear, or other variations including having only a bump of tissue at the location where the ear should normally be found. Artresia is the closing or absence of an ear canal in the middle ear. Microtia and artresia can occur alone or together. They can also be associated with hemifacial microsomia. If both ears are affected Treacher Collins Syndrome may be involved.

Nager Syndrome

Nager Syndrome is a condition in which the facial characteristics include downward slanting eyelids, absence or underdeveloped cheekbones, a severely underdeveloped lower jaw, malformed outer and middle ears, clefting of the hard or soft palates, absence of lower eyelashes and scalp hair extending on the cheek. Upper limb defects include underdeveloped or missing thumbs and occasional absence of the radial limb.

Pfeiffer Syndrome

Pfeiffer syndrome is a condition in which certain sutures are fused prematurely. There is a high forehead, and the top of the head may appear pointed. The middle face appears flattened, the nose is small and has a flattened appearance, eyes are widely spaced, and the upper jaw is underdeveloped, which causes the lower jaw to appear prominent. The thumbs and big toes have a broad appearance and teeth are often crowed.

Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome

Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is a condition in which more than one suture is fused prematurely causing irregular head growth. Eyelids are droopy while eyes are widespread and appear bulging and may be crossed. The upper jaw may be underdeveloped. The nose may appear "beaked" and the septum may be deviated; that is, the area between the nostrils is off center. Fingers are short and certain fingers may be fused. There may be a low hairline.

Speak to a Depakote Lawyer

The Willis Law firm has represented clients in Pharmaceutical Product Liability and Personal Injury litigation for over 25 years. We thoroughly understand the pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical product-liability drug litigation. You are not alone. If your child was born with Spina Bifida or other major congenital neural tube and skeletal malformations that may have resulted from your being prescribed and taking Depakote during pregnancy, please contact our law firm immediately to discuss your legal options. Please keep in mind that certain states have a statute of limitations regarding the amount of time you have to seek legal action.

The Willis Law Firm has been responsible for recovering significant settlements and verdicts for our clients. Financial recoveries can never bring back a loved one, but can help families deal with the financial stress associated with a life-changing injury or illness. They may also help prevent similar injuries to others in the future by holding pharmaceutical companies responsible today. Consulting a skilled and experienced pharmaceutical products-liability attorney is your first step in receiving the justice you and your family deserve. Contact us today for a free and confidential Depakote Side Effects lawsuit evaluation.