Topamax, the widely popular migraine and epilepsy medication, has raised eyebrows due to its connection with birth defects. Recent studies have shown that Topamax, when used by women during pregnancy, may lead to defects in new born children such as cleft lip or cleft palate. It is important for pregnant women to acknowledge these possible dangers and understand the risk to their babies.
What is a Cleft Lip and What Causes It?
Cleft lip occurs when the developing tissue of the nose and upper jaw does not fuse normally resulting in a split in the lip. Cleft lip is treatable and generally does not cause health problems although in some more severe cases, children have difficulty feeding. The defect usually occurs on only one side of the upper lip, and very rarely in the lower lip. Cleft lip is visible at birth and beyond the noticeable physical appearance, there are usually no other symptoms.
The recent action by the Food and Drug Administration warns that Topamax could lead to an increased percentage of newly born children with cleft lip. Aside from Topamax, there are other genetic and environmental factors that could lead to an increased risk. People who were born with a cleft lip or cleft palate are more likely to have children with similar defects. Pregnant mothers can also put their unborn children in a significantly higher line of risk if they have been exposed to radiation or infections, used some illegal drugs, smoked during pregnancy, or drank alcohol.
Bitrh Injury Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia
If you were recently pregnant and your child was born with a birth defect, such as a cleft lip or cleft palate, it is likely that you have some questions. Please contact the Mininno Law Office with questions regarding these birth defects, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.
Burlington Woods is a nursing home with 227 long term beds. It is also a for profit, corporately owned and run nursing home. According to the 
Prescription proton pump inhibitors include Nexium, Dexilant, Prilosec, Zegerid, Prevacid, Protonix, and AcipHex. Current over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors include Prilosec OTC, Zegerid OTC and Prevacid 24HR. The drugs are approved to treat disorders like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach and intestinal ulcers, and esophogeal inflammation. 
The nursing home that we will discuss today is the Cumberland Manor nursing home located in Bridgeton, New Jersey. This nursing is a county government owned facility with 196 long term care beds. Medicare’s nursing home compare system gave this facility 2 out of 5 stars. This rating indicates that Cumberland Manor is a below average nursing home. 
On September 13, 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration issued FDA Recall No. Z 2409 010 entitled “NexGen Complete Knee Solutions MIS Tibial Components, Locking Screw and Stem Extensions” recall notice. This recall notice can be found at the 
Knee replacement surgery, following the success and failures of hip replacement surgery, became more commonplace in the 1960s and the 1970s. It was billed as safe, effective, and an enormous benefit to any patient with osteoarthritis. Since that time, as with hip replacement surgery, knee replacement joint technology is constantly changing and modifying in an effort to improve patient outcomes in knee replacement patients. 
The Holiday Care Center located in Toms River, New Jersey. This nursing home was inspected routinely on 9 occasions and cited for 40 deficiencies during the period from December 2008 through November 2010. It was also necessary for the NJ Division of Health Facilities and Evaluation and Licensing to conduct 10 complaint inspections with 5 more deficiencies cited during this time period. Some of these citations were for failing to keep the rate of medication errors (wrong drug, wrong dose, wrong time) to less than 5%, for failing to have a program to keep infection from spreading, and failing to make sure that a residents nutritional needs are being met. These types and amount of deficiencies are those that lead to nursing home abuse. Patients’ families must remain vigilant when their loved one is in a for profit nursing home such as Holiday Care Center, to make sure that they are being cared for in an acceptable and effective manner.
Dr. Levine had long been accused of sexually abusing of his male patients, but always maintained his innocence. But not long ago, men began to come forward, describing incidents where they had seen Dr. Levine as children and been molested in his office. Some spoke of fondling during routine check-ups, and others even claim that Dr. Levine performed oral sex on them. 
Spears was able to leave this facility with his walker late at night, without any nursing home staff doing as much as asking him where he was going.
Two nights before President Obama’s State of the Union Address, Republican Phil Gingrey introduced a bill to the House that would severely limit the amount of compensation that victims of medical malpractice could receive. What’s a bit more interesting is who Phil Gingrey was before he sponsored a tort reform bill.