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For years there has been controversy over Depakote because of its potentially serious side effects. It is known to contribute to liver damage in certain patients with liver problems or in children being treated for seizures. But perhaps the most pervasive, and serious side effect of Depakote is the increased risk for birth defects in children born to women who use the medication during pregnancy.
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Category One - Less Serious Side Effects Although these side effects are considered "less serious," they are still significant injuries to suffer through no fault of your own. Your child will be forced to deal with these problems throughout his or her life:
Cleft palate
Hand deformations
Pulmonary Stenosis
Heart malformations
Undescended testes
Category Two - The Most Serious Side Effects The second category of side effects includes conditions that are either life-threatening, life-shortening, or both:
Spina Bifida
Serious skeletal defects
Neural tube malformations
Fetal death
Growth retardation
As you see, any of these defects are extremely unfortunate and undeserved.