New Lawsuit Alleges Zofran Caused Child’s Cleft Palate

April 29, 2015 – – The first lawsuit alleging that Zofran has caused a child to be born with a cleft palate has been filed against GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in the District of Montana Billings Division of the United States District Court. This particular lawsuit claims that Zofran, a type of anti-emetic drug designed to block serotonin, is the cause of their daughter’s congenital birth defect – specifically a cleft lip and palate. As of 2015, a number of different lawsuits have already been filed against GSK relating to Zofran causing various kinds of birth defects. ZofranLegal.com is investigating such cases and filing lawsuits on behalf of families who want justice.

“In this case, a child, known as M.M. was born in 1998,” says Michael Monheit of Zofran Legal. “Her mother was prescribed Zofran to counter severe symptoms of morning sickness during the first trimester of her pregnancy. Unfortunately, at birth, M.M. was diagnosed with a cleft lip and palate.”

The complaint highlights the difficulties that were experienced by M.M. and her family as she embarked on the road to recovery. During the first 16 years of her life, M.M. underwent 10 different surgeries to correct the cleft lip and palate. Additionally, having the birth defect led to impaired development both educationally and at home. M.M.’s family does not have a history of cleft palate.

A number of lawsuits have been filed against GSK, linking Zofran to a number of different birth defects. The allegations, to date, say that the medication caused Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis, Supraventricular Tachycardia, Artrial Septal Defect and Cardia Septal Defect (hole in the heart). A cleft palate is a type of orofacial cleft. This happens when oral tissues are formed in utero, generally between the 8th and 12th week of pregnancy. When the oral tissues fail to fuse properly, the roof of the mouth is left with a cleft or hole. In some cases, this cleft extends to the lip, which leaves a hole in the lip, potentially extending to the nasal cavity.

“Our website is a resource for families that have questions about Zofran and cleft palate,” adds Michael Monheit. “I am a board member of the Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation of Smiles. This is a non profit organization that provides a great deal of information and support to families of children with a cleft lip and palate. We are trying to make sure that those who contact us get all the help they can.”

In the complaint, a number of epidemiological studies are emphasized. These studies were performed by the medical community and studied birth populations where the mothers were prescribed Zofran in the first trimester of pregnancy. One study in particular, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University and researchers from Harvard University, suggested that women who were prescribed Zofran during the first trimester of their pregnancy were 2.37 times more likely to give birth to a child with a cleft palate.

Zofran Legal is currently providing advice and information to parents who have concerns about Zofran, and in particular those who were prescribed the drug during pregnancy and have given birth to a child with a birth defect. The legal team understands that each case is unique and can therefore not make any predictions in terms of possible settlement.

Those who need further information can click here.

CONTACT DETAILS:

ZofranLegal.com
Michael Monheit – 1-877-620-8411 – michael@monheit.com
1368 Barrowdale Road
Rydal, PA 19046

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