Birth defect and side effect information about the epilepsy drug Depakote, as well as legal resources for anyone who has been effected by the negative side effects of Depakote. Depakote (valproic acid) has been shown to cause birth defects in infants whose mothers were prescribed the epilepsy drug during pregnancy. Birth defects that have been linked with Depakote use during pregnancy include abnormal skull development, atrial septal defects, brain defects, congenital abnormalities, craniosynostosis, fetus malformations, heart defects, hypospadias, malformed limbs, neural tube malformations, polydactyly, spina bifida, and other birth defects ranging from minor to severe in nature. If your child was born with birth defects after taking Depakote during pregnancy, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Contact a Depakote birth defect lawyer for more information.