In the 1950's and 60's women in many countries were prescribed thalidomide as a sedative and to help them deal with morning sickness. The drug causes terrible birth defects and the children of pregnant women taking the drug were often born with horrible malformations including shortened arms, hands extending directly from the shoulder, and the absence of the thumb and the adjoining bone in the lower arm. 15,000 children worldwide were born with these serious deffects before the drugs were pulled off the market.
Fast forward a few decades and absence of the thalidomide is rearing its ugly head again. The drug has been approved in the US to treat a rare type of leprosy, and is used in Africa also to treat AIDS. And with its use, come more tragedies.
This little boy, Freddie, was born in Kenya. His parents tried to get him a visa to the UK for treatment, and after a media campaign they eventually succeeded. He died of a fungus infection a few days ago.
Comments (4)
omg this is so sad and i cant beleive that they have started using this drug again even though it does this. i cry for all the mothers and children who have to go thru this.
:(
Posted by cassie | October 9, 2006 7:25 PM
Posted on October 9, 2006 19:25
OMFG they shuld sue the ppl that made that drug( then kill em)
Posted by Gibbzy | October 13, 2006 1:57 AM
Posted on October 13, 2006 01:57
this is such a sad thing i saw it in my science lesson today and its soo pathetic the way that the people who tested it didnt check the babies would be ok they just cheaked the pregnant woman. this drug is actually really good for people with other deseases but never should be taken if your pregnant
Posted by lucy | October 13, 2006 8:41 AM
Posted on October 13, 2006 08:41
Never mind that fact that it probably saved the mother's life. Drug therapy is all about trade-offs, and, sadly, this drug causes its nasty effects before most women know they're pregnant. Which is why this drug is contraindicated for women who are pregnant or have the potential to become pregnant.
Posted by Jeffrey | October 19, 2006 7:48 AM
Posted on October 19, 2006 07:48