Texas Microcephaly Lawsuit

Microcephaly is a birth defect in which a baby’s brain develops at an abnormally slow rate or stops growing, resulting in a skull circumference that is significantly smaller than children of a similar age and sex. There is no cure for microcephaly, and it often causes lifelong debilitation, though not always. There is growing evidence that mothers who take certain pharmaceutical medications (including but not limited to SSRIs and antidepressants) during pregnancy have an increased risk of having a baby with a serious birth defect. Many mothers are contacting a Microcephaly Lawyer.

Do I Have a Microcephaly Lawsuit? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one has given birth to a child with a birth defect after taking an SSRI, antidepressant, or other medication during pregnancy, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Microcephaly lawsuit.

Microcephaly Overview

Microcephaly (my-kroh-SEF-uh-lee) is a congenital birth defect in which a baby’s brain develops at a slower rate than normal, or stops growing, resulting in a smaller head than usual. It occurs in about one baby for every 25,000 live births. Most children born with microcephaly have impaired cognitive abilities and learning disabilities, but there are some exceptions, and mild cases may cause no problems. Usually, the condition is diagnosed at birth, but it may also be diagnosed during the child’s first few years of life if the brain grows at a slower than normal rate.

Microcephaly is different from children who are just born with small heads. A child may have a skull circumference that puts him or her in the first, second, or third percentile, yet have no neurological problems. Babies born with microcephaly usually have a cranial circumference far below the first percentile.

What drugs have been linked to Microcephaly?

Do not start or stop taking any medication without first consulting a physician. Depression is a serious illness. If you are pregnant, considering pregnancy, or breastfeeding, talk to a doctor about all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and dietary supplements you are taking. These may harm your child.

SSRIs / Antidepressant Drugs: There is a growing amount of evidence that links these medications to an increased risk of birth defects. SSRIs and antidepressants include the following prescription medications:

Signs & Symptoms of Microcephaly

Microcephaly is usually diagnosed at birth, during the infant’s first physical examination, when the physician measures the circumference of the child’s head. The physician will notice that the child’s head is smaller than usual compared to their age, sex, based upon a standardized chart.

Some children with microcephaly have normal intelligence, are able to go to school and be as active as other children, and do not require follow-up treatment. More serious cases of microcephaly can result in the following complications:

Mild to significant learning disabilities
Impaired motor functions
Difficulty with movement and balance
Speech delays

Microcephaly may also occur with other abnormalities, including facial deformities, seizures, and very short stature. Often, children with microcephaly will be smaller than other children their age.

Treatment & Prognosis

Unfortunately, microcephaly is a lifelong condition and there is no treatment that can change the size of a child’s brain or skull. In children who have severe microcephaly, treatment involves managing the complications rather than the condition itself. They may need to undergo physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy to help build daily life skills. Some children also go through psychological counseling to help them with their self-esteem and feelings about their medical condition.

Do I Have a Microcephaly Lawsuit?

For a free consultation, please contact Collen A. Clark at The Clark Firm, LLP immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Microcephaly lawsuit.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more that 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $60 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact us for a free Microcephaly lawsuit review.