Texas Hypospadia Lawsuit

A Hypospadia is a congenital birth defect that occurs in boys, in which the urethral opening is located on the underside of the penis instead of the tip. In severe cases, the urethral opening is at the base of the penis. Surgery is the only option for repairing a hypospadia. Birth defects are more likely to occur in babies born to women who took Topamax, Topiramate, SSRIs, antidepressants, and other medications during pregnancy. Some of these women are now seeking legal help against the drug companies.

Do I Have a Hypospadia 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 Topamax, Topiramate, an SSRI antidepressant, or other medication during pregnancy, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Hypospadia lawsuit.

Hypospadia Overview

A hypospadia is a congenital birth defect that occurs in males, in which the urethra does not open at the end of the penis, but somewhere on the underside. It is often associated with congenital penile curvature due to the insufficient development of the underside of the penis. It is a relatively common birth defect, affecting approximately 0.3% of the general male population.

There are three types of hypospadias:

Anterior Hypospadia: This is the most common form of the birth defect, occurring in approximately 70% of cases, in which the urethral opening is located near the end of the penis, but on the underside instead of at the end. This is the easiest type of hypospadia to repair surgically.
Medium Hypospadia: This occurs in approximately 10% of cases, when the urethral opening is about half-way along the underside of the penis.
Posterior Hypospadia: This is the most serious type of hypospadia, and occurs in approximately 20% of cases. The urethral opening is at the base of the penis instead of the end. There is often considerable penile curvature, associated with a general underdevelopment of the penis.

What medications are linked to Hypospadias?

Do not start or stop taking any type of medication without first talking to a doctor, especially if you are taking an antidepressant. Depression is a serious illness. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or considering pregnancy, consult a physician regarding all over-the-counter medications, prescription pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and herbal supplements. These may all harm your child.

SSRIs / Antidepressant Drugs: Evidence is growing that there is a link between the maternal use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and antidepressant medications during pregnancy and serious birth defects.

SSRIs and antidepressants include the following prescription medications:

Topamax and Topiramate: On March 4, 2011 the FDA required the manufacturers of Topamax and Topiramate to update the safety labeling on the medications to reflect growing evidence linking these drugs to cleft lip, cleft palate, and hypospadias, when women took these medications during pregnancy.

What problems are associated with hypospadias?

Sexual dysfunction: The hypospadia itself will not impair sexual function, but because it is usually associated with penile curvature, it may be impossible for him to engage in intercourse.
Urinary problems: Spraying of urine is a common problem, making it difficult for him to urinate accurately while standing
Cosmetic appearance: The unusual appearance may cause other children to tease him, and harm his self-confidence when he reaches sexual maturity.

Treatment & Prognosis

Surgery aims to correct significant curvature of the penis and relocate the urethral opening as close to the tip of the penis as possible. The end result will be similar to a circumcised penis. When the hypospadia is minor, the repair may be as simple as making an incision to the top of the penis, inserting a catheter to drain urine, and suturing the skin on the underside of the penis. The child will usually be able to go home the same day. In more complicated hypospadia repair surgeries, the child may need to use a catheter to collect urine for 1-2 weeks until the penis can heal properly.

Most surgeons recommend that the boy undergo surgery before the age of eighteen months to minimize the psychological impact. If surgery is not performed at this time, it is recommended that he undergo surgery around the ages of five or six. It is advisable to avoid the period between two and four years, when it is difficult to manage the child, and there is a high risk of psychological trauma.

More than 200 types of surgical techniques for treating hypospadias have been described in the medical literature, and the history of treating this birth defect goes back hundreds of years. When surgery is performed by an experienced surgeon, 80-90% of patients will need no further surgery.

Do I Have a Hypospadia 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 Hypospadia 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 Hypospadia lawsuit review.