Thalidomide Birth Defects

Every year in the United States, approximately 150,000 babies are born with structural, functional, or metabolic birth defects. Birth defects are congenital conditions or abnormalities that are present at birth, which may have been caused by certain genetic or environmental (non-genetic) risk factors.

While almost 60 percent of all birth defects have an undetermined cause, genetic and environmental risk factors such as teratogenic drugs and medications including thalidomide have been known to cause serious and sometimes fatal birth defects.

Thalidomide Birth Defects

Thalidomide is a drug used in the treatment of leprosy. In the late 1950s, thalidomide was prescribed to expectant mothers to treat morning sickness, anxiety, and insomnia. A decade later, the Food and Drug Administration took the drug off the market after more than 10,000 babies exposed to thalidomide in the womb were born with severe adverse thalidomide birth defects including serious malformations and limb deformities. Types of birth defects caused by include:

Missing limbs
Phocomelia – Absence of majority of arm, with hand extending from shoulder
Aplasia – Absence of thumb and bone in lower arm
Lower extremity limb malformation
Ear and vision malformation
Heart birth defects
Kidney malformation
Genital malformation
Digestive tract and nervous system impairment

Thalidomide is known to be a powerful teratogenic drug, which causes serious abnormal embryo or fetal development. Even one dose of thalidomide during pregnancy can cause major thalidomide birth defects.

In 1998, thalidomide was re-approved by the FDA to treat erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), a condition of leprosy, despite the alarming evidence linking the drug to thalidomide birth defects. Recent studies have revealed that two-thirds of women of childbearing age are unaware of the serious risks of thalidomide birth defects. Pregnant women or those that could possibly become pregnant should prevent birth defects in their child and NOT take thalidomide.

Has Your Child Suffered Thalidomide Birth Defects?

If you took thalidomide or any other teratogenic medication during your pregnancy and your child suffered serious birth defects, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your losses including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. Please contact us today to speak to a birth defects attorney who can evaluate your case and inform you of your legal rights FREE of charge.

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Thalidomide Birth Defects

Thalidomide Birth Defects

Has Your Child Suffered Thalidomide Birth Defects?

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