The use of botulinum toxin, or Botox, in order to treat limb spastically in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy has been linked with severe adverse reactions, such as respiratory failure and death.

The FDA has not approved the use of botulinum toxin to treat the effects of cerebral palsy in the United States.

The severe reactions to Botox are similar to the symptoms of botulism and seem to be related to the botulinum toxins spread throughout the body. These symptoms of botulism include weakness, breathing problems and difficulty swallowing.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting an ongoing investigation of the product. It is suggested that overdoses of Botox are a contributing factor for the adverse symptoms.

The FDA has not advised discontinuation of the product, but they have advised that those treated with Botox be aware of the symptoms of an adverse reaction.

Cerebral palsy is an injury that results during childbirth from damage to the cerebrum. If complications arise during birth, it is the responsibility of the doctor to act in a manner that will protect the child from potential long term suffering from cerebral palsy.

If proper action was not taken by a medical professional during childbirth and your child, or the child of a loved one, has suffered from cerebral palsy, contact a cerebral palsy attorney at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP at 1-800-460-0606. An experienced attorney will be able to evaluate if you are eligible to seek compensation.

Birth trauma can be thought of as trauma suffered by the mother or, more typically, injuries suffered by the baby.  Birth trauma refers to injuries sustained during the labor and delivery process.   Causes of birth trauma can be split into two categories:  first, injuries suffered from physical trauma during the birth process – know as traumatic birth injury, and second, injuries that occur as a result of lack of oxygen during birth.  The medical term for this type of injury is hypoxic-ischemic.

The two can occur on their own or together.  Sometimes, birth trauma is unavoidable.  However, many times a birth injury could have been prevented had the doctors and hospital staff noticed risk factors and taken reasonable precautions to prevent birth trauma.  In these latter cases, the affected family may be entitled by law to seek monetary compensation for lifelong care that the child will need.  These types of cases are quite complex.  Birth trauma attorneys are lawyers who have experience representing families and recovering money from insurance companies for the care of the injured child.  If your child has suffered a traumatic birth injury, it is wise to discuss your questions and concerns with the attorneys at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP. 

During pregnancy, it would be best if you never had to take medications, however, sometimes it is necessary for your overall wellbeing to take the medications.  Some women with severe depression or other conditions face a difficult decision about taking their medications during pregnancy since some antidepressants have been shown to increase the risk of birth defects when taken during pregnancy. Such women may be advised that the benefits of taking an antidepressant during pregnancy outweigh the risks. While this may be partially true, some studies show Paxil is an antidepressant that has significant risks for pregnant women and their developing babies.

Studies have shown that Paxil can be linked to heart defects such as atrial and ventricular septal defects, which are characterized by holes in the walls of the chambers of the heart. Heart-related Paxil birth defects range in severity from minor, which may resolve without treatment, to severe conditions, which usually require surgical repair.  It has also been shown that Paxil can be linked to PPHN (persistent pulmonary hypertension), which is a rare but life-threatening birth defect that can lead to multiple organ failure and death.  PPHN requires prompt diagnosis and treatment, and can still prove fatal.  Babies who survive the initial trauma of PPHN often suffer permanent damage affecting their hearing and speech as well as brain damage that can result in developmental delays and neurological deficits.

If you took Paxil while pregnant and your baby was born with a birth defect, contact the attorneys at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP at 1-800-460-0606 so their experienced attorneys can determine whether you may be eligible to seek compensation from the drug manufacturer.