Topamax is a popular prescription drug, used to help prevent epileptic seizures and migraine headaches. Birth defect attorneys have recently discovered, via an issued warning from the FDA, that Topamax use during pregnancy may cause oral malformations, such as a cleft lip or cleft palate, in newborn children. The formation of a cleft lip forces a young child to undergo surgery (or surgeries) within the first three months of birth in order to repair the cleft or clefts. Cleft lip can have many damaging consequences on both the baby and the mother, which is why it’s essential to fix the problem as soon as possible. Birth defect attorneys recommend that mother’s seek medical assistance as soon as possible and avoid the use of Topamax during pregnancy.
Post Childbirth Surgery
The recommended age for cleft lip or cleft palate correction surgery is generally ten weeks following birth. Two surgeons, Wilhelmmesen and Musgrave, coined the “rule of ten”, calling for children suffering from cleft lip to be at least ten weeks old, weigh ten pounds, and have at least 10g hemoglobin before an operation.
Birth defect attorneys have learned that children suffering from a bilateral cleft may need to undergo two surgeries to close each side separately. Also, children who have an incomplete cleft lip may be required to have the same exact procedure as those with a complete cleft. Although mothers may dread the thought of subjecting their baby to surgery at such a young age, it is usually the only logical route to take. Those babies who have the surgery within 2-3 months following birth are likely to fully recover and have a minimally noticeable scar. Birth defect attorneys and medical professionals alike stress the importance of mothers meeting with both medical experts and family members to choose a plan that works best for them and their child. Although potentially scary and nerve-racking, birth defects, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, can be easily treated, allowing kids to lead perfectly normal and happy lives.
Birth Defect Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia
If your child was born with a cleft lip or cleft palate birth defect, and you believe it is attributable to your use of Topamax during pregnancy, you probably have some questions for a birth defects attorney. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at 856-833-0600 in New Jersey, or 215-567-2380 in Philadelphia.
On April 17, Grove called an ambulance to her home because she believed she was overdosing on drugs. While in the home, police found the elderly couple injured and in unsanitary conditions. The 77 year old husband was found in his urine soaked bed with blood and feces smeared on the bed and bed frame. Both victims were taken to the hospital. the husband was taken for facial bruises, broken ribs, and a partially collapsed lung, and his 82 year old wife was taken for a hand and wrist injury which she said she received when Grove pushed her wheelchair across the room and pinned her hand against the wall. The wife also told the police she heard Grove beating her husband on several occasions. The couple is bedridden/confined to wheelchairs, the husband has had part of his leg amputated, and the wife recently had hip surgery. The husband was in the hospital several weeks prior to this when he had to have one of his eyes surgically removed after a TV set fell on him, which his wife believes was an injury from Grove.
Our 
The Duques brought their baby girl to Nebraska for a transplant after she was born with congenital defects. Almariah received a pancreas, liver, and small bowel transplant in late December of 2009. She was discharged from the hospital a few months later but quickly returned as she developed an infection. 
Sometimes parents ask what caused their baby to develop a cleft palate. In many cases the answer is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to say. There are many different environmental factors that can lead to the development of a cleft palate. However, in some cases, there may a clear indication of what caused the cleft palate. For example, the FDA 
Sherrye Dianne Huff, the former administrator of the home, was arrested in May on five felony charges- three counts of theft and two counts of exploiting an elderly or disabled person- and one misdemeanor charge of theft for stealing from an Alzheimer’s patient. Donna Tower, the elderly man’s niece, said that the man would tell his family that someone was stealing from him but everyone brushed it off because of his Alzheimer’s. They later found out that he was telling the truth and Huff was taking his checks.
Many young children who suffer from a cleft palate may also have a alveolar ridge defect. The alveolus is the upper gum where the teeth are located. Defects in the alveous are not uncommon in young children who suffer from birth defects such as cleft palate. These defects in the upper gum may first displace or rotate the permanent teeth that have grown in. Secondly, in young children, these defects may prevent the adult or permanent teeth from descending and appearing. Finally, we say that this sort of defect may also prevent the alveolar ridge from properly forming. These can develop into serious problems for children and parents should seek dental consultation as soon as possible. Fortunately, we know that these problems are fairly common and can generally be fixed through some form of oral surgery. Following surgery, the young child will be able to show off a beautiful smile without any displacement or rotation of the teeth.
– Physical Abuse is the non-accidental use of physical force that may result in injury, physical pain or impairment of an elderly person. Physical abuse includes acts of violence such as hitting, beating, shaking, shoving, kicking and burning as well as inappropriate use of medications, physical restraints, depriving basic needs and force-feeding.