Clomid (also sold under the brand name Serophene and the generic name clomiphene) is a prescription fertility drug that has been used to induce ovulation in women wishing to become pregnant for the last 30 years. However, according to recent reports, the use of Clomid has also been associated with an increase in birth defects.

Clomid Birth Defect Complications

Clomid works by emulating estrogen, the naturally produced female hormone, which causes eggs to be released from the ovaries. That is why it is categorized as an ovulatory stimulant.

According to the November 2010 edition of Human Reproduction, it is estimated that 1.6 percent of pregnancies in the United States are conceived using a clomiphene drug like Clomid or Serophene; that’s over 67,000 Clomid pregnancies. That also means that thousands of children were exposed to the drug in-utero, putting them at an allegedly increased risk of birth defects.

Both Clomid and Serophene have been linked with several types of birth defects in clinical trials and postmarketing surveillance, including various types of fetal abnormalities and congenital malformations.

Although current studies suggest that the risk of Clomid birth defects is fairly low, some patients and researchers have suggested that the current Clomid drug warning labels are insufficient, as they do not adequately inform hopeful mothers of all the possible Clomid or Serpohene birth defect complications.

According to Clomid clinical studies, some birth defects associated with the use of Clomid include:

• Congenital heart lesions
• Down syndrome
• Club foot
• Congenital gut lesions
• Hypospadias
• Microcephaly
• Harelip and cleft palate
• Congenital hip
• Hemangioma
• Undescended testicles
• Polydactyly
• Conjoined twins and teratomatous malformation
• Patent ductus arteriosus
• Amaurosis
• Arteriovenous fistula
• Inguinal hernia
• Umbilical hernia
• Syndactyly
• Pectus excavatum
• Myopathy
• Dermoid cyst of scalp
• Omphalocele
• Spina bifida occulta
• Ichthyosis
• Persistent lingual frenulum
• Neonatal death and fetal death/stillbirth

The Clomid clinical trials state that these birth defects occur less than one percent of the time. However, for those children who are born with these Clomid birth defects, life can be extremely difficult and they may require assistance and medical attention for the rest of their lives because of the Clomid-induced birth defects.

Clomid Birth Defect Lawsuits

Although many studies suggest a strong associated between Clomid and birth defects, and although many Clomid birth defects cases have been observed, researchers have asked that the results of their studies be interpreted cautiously.

Many mothers are fighting back against the manufacturer of Clomid and Serophene by filing birth defects lawsuits. These Clomid lawsuits allow families to receive some compensation for medical bills, special education, and professional care regularly needed when raising a child with the type of birth defects listed above.