Last June, an inquiry was launched into the prescribing of valproate, which can cause serious birth defects and development disorders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Families were told the inquiry would begin “within weeks” but there is still no sign of it starting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Debbie chose not to attend the launch event.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to get excited but the pessimistic side of me said \u2018how long are we going to be waiting?\u2019 and that\u2019s probably why I didn\u2019t go,” she said.<\/p>\n
One year on, she is just tired. \u201cI\u2019ve no faith in the system,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n This should not have happened. This has changed the trajectory of our family\u2019s life.\n <\/p>\n
She wants answers: why does she have a wall-planner in the kitchen covered with therapy appointments?<\/p>\n
\u201cThe children have grown up like this and they think everybody\u2019s life is like this. We had different dreams for them,\u201d she said, tearfully.<\/p>\n
The HSE now advises if a woman or girl becomes pregnant while taking valproate (brand name Epilim), their baby is at risk of serious birth defects and developmental and learning disorders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Debbie, who has been taking Epilim to control her epilepsy seizures, recalled speaking with her neurologist when pregnant with Isobelle.<\/p>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4644523_5_articleinline_Debbie_20Adams_20_20Fetal_20Valproate_20Disorder_202489.jpg\" "\\"")
Debbie Adams\u00a0took Epilim to control her epilepsy seizures. Picture: Moya Nolan<\/p>\n
\u201cI was warned about spina bifida and cleft lip and palate; they were the two things that I was aware of,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She was relieved early scans showed no signs of these but does not recall discussion of wider risks under Fetal Valproate Syndrome (FVS).<\/p>\n
Isobelle and her sister Isla, who uses a mobility scooter, faced similar challenges as babies.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy youngest was showing all the same delays\u00a0\u2014 not crawling, not walking, not speaking, and I said this can\u2019t be normal to happen twice in the one house,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She was reassured during a neurology appointment about any potential links to her medication.<\/p>\n
But soon afterwards, while in Portugal at a family wedding, she saw a report from the British parliament on Sky News.<\/p>\n
They were talking about FVS, and she recalls racing out to find her husband to share the devastating information.<\/p>\n