Ibuprofen is a generic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in the treatment of several common conditions. By reducing the presence of specific hormones in the body, ibuprofen assists in the treatment of pain, swelling, inflammation, and fever. However, the introduction of this medication may adversely affect the development of a growing fetus. Subsequently, pregnant women who receive ibuprofen treatment may significantly increase their risk of giving birth to a child with a distinct set of birth defects.
If you or a loved one has given birth to a child with congenital abnormalities after taking ibuprofen during pregnancy, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
Ibuprofen Birth Defects Lawsuit Overview
Ibuprofen was introduced to the U.S. market by McNeil on September 19, 1974. Prior to its release, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved of ibuprofen to assist in the treatment of pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as headache, toothache, back pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps, and minor injury. Having been on the market for nearly 40 years, ibuprofen has established itself as one of the most popular NSAIDs ever.
As a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen uses a distinct mechanism of action to assist in the treatment of pain and swelling. Ibuprofen is able to prohibit the actions of cyclooxygenase, an enzyme responsible for the production of prostagladins and thromboxane. Subsequently, prostagladins and thromboxane act as catalysts for the process of inflammation. Therefore, by preventing the actions of cyclooxygenase, ibuprofen assists in the treatment of pain and swelling.
While ibuprofen has an established track record of treating minor pain and inflammation, treatment by the popular NSAID may not be without concern. Recent studies suggest that the introduction of this medication may adversely affect the development of a growing fetus. Subsequently, pregnant women who receive ibuprofen treatment may significantly increase their risk of giving birth to a child with a distinct set of birth defects. Due to the severity of these congenital abnormalities, families may contact a lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation regarding their potential ibuprofen birth defects lawsuit.
Ibuprofen Birth Defects
Scientific literature suggests that children may be as much as three times more likely to develop anophthalmia and microphthalmia when they were introduced to NSAIDs during fetal development. Anophthalmia and microphthalmia are two congenital abnormalities characterized by the severe malformation of one or both of the eyes. Severe cases of these conditions may witness a lack of the eyes all together. Women who took NSAIDs during pregnancy also exhibited a propensity for the development of amniotic band syndrome (ABS), a defect that occurs when strands of the amniotic sac tear in the womb and entangle digits, limbs, or other parts of the developing fetus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed statistical data that substantiated such claims. According to their studies, anophthalmia and microphthalmia occur in approximately one out of every 5,300 live births in the United States, while ABS was found in about one in 10,000 newborn babies.
The following is a comprehensive list of Iibuprofen birth defects:
- Oral clefts: Oral clefts, otherwise known as cleft lip and cleft palate, are the result of several sutures that failed to close during the child’s development. They are characterized by a distinct fissure in the palate that creates clefting of the lip or clefting on the roof of the mouth.
- Neural tube defects: Neural tube defects are the result of a failure of the neural tube to close during child development. Subsequently, neural tube defects are severe malformations of the central nervous system. The risk of such defects increased 60% for women who took NSAIDs like ibuprofen early in pregnancy.Spina bifida is the most commonly associated neural tube defect with NSAID use.
- Anophthalmia: This condition is characterized by the absence of one or both eyes at birth. Such a complication has become associated with ibuprofen birth defects.
- Microphthalmia: This condition refers to a developmental disorder of the eye. The presence of microphthalmia typically results in a significantly smaller eye with severe vision deficiencies.
- Pulmonary valve stenosis: Pulmonary valve stenosis is characterized by a significant narrowing of the aorta. As a result, the heart struggles to pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
- Amniotic band syndrome: A birth defect in which the amniotic sac fissures and entangle parts of the fetus. The severity of the birth defect depends on what parts of the baby are entangled and how tightly the bands are wrapped. Babies born to mothers taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen were three times more likely to develop amniotic band syndrome.
- Transverse limb deficiencies: Transverse limb deficiencies, more commonly known as clubbing of the hands and feet, have been associated with ibuprofen birth defects. As their names suggest, these conditions are synonymous with a distinct disfiguration of the appendages.
NSAID & Ibuprofen Birth Defects Study
According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the use of NSAIDs may coincide with a moderate increase of the rate in which several birth defects are developed. The study was established to determine if the use of NSAIDs during early pregnancy are associated with a distinct range of structural and anatomical birth defects.
As a multi-site population-based, case control study of risk factors for birth defects, officials examined women from all over the United Sates. During the course of the interview process, women were frequently asked about the specific NSAID drugs they took during their first trimester of pregnancy.
Among the women who participated in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 22.6% reported the use of NSAIDs in their first trimester of pregnancy, most commonly ibuprofen and naproxen. Out of the 29 defect groups examined, several exhibited a small to moderate increase after ibuprofen, Ibuprofen, and naproxen exposure.
Several abnormalities exhibited a larger increase in their occurrence rate than others. Distinct birth defects were slightly increased in babies whose mothers reported taking ibuprofen, Ibuprofen or naproxen during their first trimester of pregnancy. The risk of cleft palate rose by as much as 80% in some cases, while spina bifida jumped by 60%.
Do I Have an Ibuprofen Birth Defects Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in ibuprofen birth defects lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has given birth to a child with congenital abnormalities after taking ibuprofen during pregnancy, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.