The drug Depakote has been linked to an increased risk of serious birth defects when used in the first trimester of a pregnancy, according to a study out of the Netherlands.

Depakote is an anti-seizure drug, with a trade name of valproate semisodium. However, there are multiple uses for Depakote. Depakote is typically prescribed to treat bipolar disorder, epilepsy and migraines. A generic became available in the United States in 2008. Though this drug may be a godsend to people suffering from seizure disorders, evidence is mounting that the drug may be linked to serious Depakote birth defects.

Dutch researchers at the University of Gorningen performed a type of research study called meta-analysis to evaluate the risk of Depakote birth defects. In this type of study, researchers pool data from other studies and evaluate previous ones. In this case, researchers pooled data from eight studies. This effectively gave researchers information on 1,600 births and on 14 birth defects that seemed more common. For comparison, the researchers also used data from a vast European study that contained medical information on nearly 4 million births.

The researchers found that women taking Depakote were more likely to have children with at least six different birth defects. This included spina bifida. In spina bifida, the backbone and spinal cord do not develop properly. This can range from very mild cases to cases where the spinal cord bulges out of the skin. If caught before birth, spina bifida may be corrected with surgery. Untreated, spina bifida may leave a child permanently paralyzed. According to the authors of the Depakote study, women taking Depakote were 12.7 times more likely to have a child with spina bifida.

Researchers also found that women taking Depakote were more likely to have a child with an atrial septal defect. Atrial septal defects are a type of heart defect. Specifically, a child with atrial septal defects does not have fully-formed walls dividing the various chambers of the heart. This means their hearts may mix oxygenated and un-oxygenated blood, leaving the child weak and in mortal danger. This can be corrected surgically, though very minor cases of atrial septal defects may heal on their own. Women taking Depakote were found to be 2.5 times more likely to have a child with atrial septal defects.

Additionally, researchers found at least four other birth defects associated with taking Depakote during pregnancy. This included birth defects of the hands, skull, penis, and other body parts. Because of these concerns, the American Academy of Neurology discourages doctors from prescribing Depakote to pregnant women.

Birth defect lawsuits have been filed by mothers who had children with severe birth defects after taking drugs like Depakote. Birth defect lawsuits allege that the makers of drugs like Depakote do not do enough to protect children from the risk of birth defects. Birth defect lawsuits typically seek to recoup the cost of medical care, lost income potential, legal fees and other costs allegedly linked to drug-caused birth defects.