Research shows that babies born to mothers who took the fertility drug Clomid during pregnancy are more likely to develop serious birth defects.
About Clomid
Clomid, manufactured by Sanofi-Avantis, was initially approved by the FDA in February of 1967. Clomid is a fertility drug used by women who do not produce ova (eggs) but wish to get pregnant. Similar to the natural hormone estrogen, Clomid induces ovulation, causing a woman’s ovaries to release an egg. It belongs to a class of drugs known as ovulatory stimulants and is usually taken in cycles of 5 days. Clomiphene citrate is also sold under the brand name Serophene.
Clomid Dangers
While Clomid assists infertile women to get pregnant, it may also cause birth defects in their babies. Evidence suggests that even after Clomid has successfully fertilized ovulation, it is possible that Clomid remains in the mother’s system well into the initial weeks of pregnancy, which can put the fetus at risk of exposure to a dangerous drug, such as:
- Spina Bifida – nearly 12 times increased risk
- Cloacal Exstrophy – more than 5 times increased risk
- Ventricular Septal Defect (heart defect) – nearly 5 times increased risk
- Atrial Septal Defect (heart defect) – 60 percent increased risk
- Dandy-Walker Syndrome (neural tube defect)– 4.4 times increased risk
- Anencephaly (fatal neural tube defect) – 2.3 times increased risk
- Esophageal Atresia (defect of the esophagus) – 2.3 times increased risk
- Craniosynostosis (cranio facial defect) – nearly doubled risk
- Omphalocele – doubled risk
- Anotia/Microtia (defects of the ear) – more than doubled risk
- Intestinal Atresia (defect of the intestines) – 40 percent more likely
- Coarctation of the Aorta – 80 percent increased risk
- Hypospadias (defect of the male genitals) – 50 percent increased risk
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
Studies Link Clomid to Defects
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Birth Defects Study has linked the use of Clomid two months before to one month after conception to many serious birth defects, including those listed above.
Research conducted by Wu et al. at the University of California, San Francisco found that maternal use of Clomid within 60 days before or 15 days after conception may increase the likelihood of a baby developing spina bifida by nearly 12 times.
A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health found that maternal use of Clomid is a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders.
November 2010 issue of Human Reproduction revealed an association between clomiphene citrate therapy and the birth defects of anencephaly, Dandy-Walker malformation, septal heart defects, muscular ventricular septal defects, coarctation of the aorta, esophageal atresia, cloacal, exstrophy, craniosynostosis, and omphalocele.
Birth Defects in Clinical Trials
During Clomid clinical trials, researchers noted fetal abnormalities. The rate was low, but the severity of the birth defects was high. The most common birth defects reported in Clomid clinical trials included congenital heart lesions, Down’s syndrome, hydatidiform mole, club foot, congenital gut lesions, hypospadias, microcephaly, harelip, cleft palate, congenital hip, hemangioma, undescended testicles, polydactyly, conjoined twins and teratomatous malformation, patent ductus arteriosus, syndactyly, pectus excavatum myopathy, dermoid cyst of the scalp, arteriovenous fistula, inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, omphalocele, spina bifida occulta, ichthyosis, persistent lingual frenulum, and still births.
Additionally, postmarketing surveillance has unearthed more reports of birth defects. The most serious of them include delayed development, abnormal bone development, dwarfism, deafness, mental retardation, chromosomal disorders, neural tube defects (including anenecephaly), tissue malformations, imperforate anus (blocked opening to the anus), tracheoesophageal fistula (closed esophagus), diaphragmatic hernia, renal agenesis (abnormal development of the kidneys), dysgenesis (abnormal development of an organ), malformations of the eye, ear, lung, heart and genitalia, and skeletal malformations of the skull, face, nasal passages, jaw, hand, lim, foot and joints.
Your Baby’s Rights
If your baby was born with one or more congenital defects that may have been caused by exposure to Clomid before birth, your family deserves financial compensation. No amount of money can change what happened to your baby. Compensation will help offset the current and future medical costs, as well as provide for the pain and suffering you and your baby have experienced.
Filing a claim will also teach the manufacturers of unsafe medications that it is unacceptable to not warn parents of the risks associated with these drugs. This includes serious birth defects. Your suit may also even prevent other families from suffering as yours has. This will force the pharmaceutical company to change their drug’s label to warn parents of the potential risks.
How We Can Help
When you experience side effects from a dangerous drug, it can have devastating effects on your entire life. Compensation for injuries or damages could be available. The types of losses we can help you recover include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of an ability to work; and Pain and suffering
If a person dies from complications from a drug, family members may be able to recover damages for the wrongful death of their loved one, including:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses prior to death
- Loss of economic support; and
- Loss of companionship
Therefore, if a jury finds the conduct of a company to be highly reckless, they could award punitive damages to punish the company and deter similar conduct in the future. If you suffered after taking Clomid, please speak to us to learn more about your rights.
The Michael Brady Lynch Firm is currently accepting cases in all 50 state. Please use the form on this page or call toll-free 24 hours a day at 877-513-9517.
About Us
The Michael Brady Lynch Firm is dedicated to obtaining justice on behalf of the babies and their parents when huge pharmaceutical corporations harm them. Principal lawyer Michael Brady Lynch was born with a congenital heart defect that required extensive surgery to correct. He knows how it feels to bear the burden of a lifelong scar. Also, how to live with the painful memories. He is passionate about helping infants and families who have dealt with similar circumstances.
The experienced trial attorneys of The Michael Brady Lynch Firm skillfully and tenaciously fight for the maximum compensation. We will also provide full support to your family every step of the way. Our firm has access to the medical experts and resources necessary to build a powerful claim on each client’s behalf. As true consumer advocates, we are determined to make a difference in the lives of our clients and for the safety of our community.
