Post by mary on Jan 17, 2007 20:52:14 GMT -5
SSRI Antidepressants and PPHN
The newer antidepressants are classified as SSRIs or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. In several studies over the last few years, SSRI antidepressants such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, etc. have been linked to birth defects in babies.
In a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, women who took antidepressants in the third trimester delivered babies who were six times more likely to have primary pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) or developing a lung disorder, primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) than babies not exposed to SSRIs.
SSRI birth defectsPPH is a disorder of the lungs in which the arteries are severely restricted, causing the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery of the heart to rise to excessive levels. Blood flow is restricted and oxygen levels in the blood are suppressed.
While in the womb, the baby's circulation is handled by the placenta, and does not go through the lungs. After birth, the baby's circulation switches over from the ductus arteriosus (which now closes) to the lungs.
However, in a baby born with PPHN, the ductus arteriosus stays open and the baby's blood flow continues to bypass the lungs. Since the blood does not enter the lungs, it returns to the heart very low in oxygen.
The baby's organs, such as the brain, kidneys and liver quickly become stressed due to lack of oxygen. PPHN is usually diagnosed within 12 hours of delivery.
The following symptoms may mean a baby has PPHN: rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, or bluish skin. The doctor may also hear a heart murmur or observe low oxygen levels in the baby's blood.
SSRI birth defectA chest x-ray or ultrasound may help to diagnose whether or not a baby has PPHN. Doctors may order lab tests such as Arterial Blood Gas (ABG), Complete Blood Count (CBC), serum electrolyte tests, pulse oximetry or may do a spinal tap.
Babies diagnosed with PPHN usually need to be cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Pure oxygen will be given to the baby through a tube inserted into the windpipe. An extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine (ECMO) may be used to act as an artificial heart and lung while the baby's lungs recover.
PPHN is a very serious birth defect, and even with treatment the PPHN baby may experience shock, heart failure, brain hemorrhage, seizures, kidney failure, organ damage and even death.
Babies who survive PPHN may have long-term breathing difficulties, seizures, developmental disorders and hearing loss.
Another study showed that mothers who took antidepressants during pregnancy gave birth to babies who experienced withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, tremors, gastrointestinal problems and sleep disturbances.
There is controversy over the safety of these drugs since the long term effects on the baby are still unknown.
Read more about SSRIs:
* Prozac (fluoxetine)
* Paxil (paroxetine)
* Zoloft (sertraline)
* Symbyax (fluoxetine or olanzapine)
* Celexa (citalopram)
* Cymbalta (duloxetine)
* Effexor (venlafaxine)
* Lexapro (escitalopram)
SSRIs and the Warning Signs
Business Booming For SSRI Makers
Why are SSRIs Still Prescribed?
Big Pharma Hits On Pregnant Women
Birth Defects And Other Threats To Mom And Baby Associated With Paxil
SSRI and Birth Defects in the News
DEC-28-06: Use of any SSRI antidepressant in the first trimester of pregnancy resulted in a 40% increase in birth defects and more specifically a 60% increased risk in cardiac abnormalities. [SIERRA TIMES: SSRI BIRTH DEFECTS]
NOV-08-06: Women who used an SSRI during pregnancy had a 34 percent higher relative risk of delivering an infant with a congenital malformation compared with those that did not. [REUTERS: SSRI BIRTH DEFECTS]
APR-06-06: Women who take a popular class of antidepressants during pregnancy have a higher risk of birth complications. [GLOBE AND MAIL: SSRI BIRTH DEFECTS]
FEB-09-06: New research shows that Paxil and other SSRIs may be linked to PPHN a deadly lung disorder in newborns. [FORBES: SSRI PPHN]
FEB-06-06: Results from medical study confirms baby’s risk when mother took SSRI antidepressants while pregnant. Results show that the newborn may suffer from withdrawal symptoms immediately but the long term effects are still unknown. SSRI drugs studied include Paxil, Celexa, Prozac, Zoloft. [FORBES: SSRI BIRTH DEFECTS]
Register your SSRI Birth Defects Complaint
If you took an SSRI antidepressant medication during pregnancy and your baby suffered any type of birth defect, you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible class action lawsuit. Please click on the link below to submit your claim to a lawyer who will review your case at no charge.
Click here to submit your complaint through a secure form
www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/ssri_birth_defects
The newer antidepressants are classified as SSRIs or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. In several studies over the last few years, SSRI antidepressants such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, etc. have been linked to birth defects in babies.
In a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, women who took antidepressants in the third trimester delivered babies who were six times more likely to have primary pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) or developing a lung disorder, primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) than babies not exposed to SSRIs.
SSRI birth defectsPPH is a disorder of the lungs in which the arteries are severely restricted, causing the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery of the heart to rise to excessive levels. Blood flow is restricted and oxygen levels in the blood are suppressed.
While in the womb, the baby's circulation is handled by the placenta, and does not go through the lungs. After birth, the baby's circulation switches over from the ductus arteriosus (which now closes) to the lungs.
However, in a baby born with PPHN, the ductus arteriosus stays open and the baby's blood flow continues to bypass the lungs. Since the blood does not enter the lungs, it returns to the heart very low in oxygen.
The baby's organs, such as the brain, kidneys and liver quickly become stressed due to lack of oxygen. PPHN is usually diagnosed within 12 hours of delivery.
The following symptoms may mean a baby has PPHN: rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, or bluish skin. The doctor may also hear a heart murmur or observe low oxygen levels in the baby's blood.
SSRI birth defectA chest x-ray or ultrasound may help to diagnose whether or not a baby has PPHN. Doctors may order lab tests such as Arterial Blood Gas (ABG), Complete Blood Count (CBC), serum electrolyte tests, pulse oximetry or may do a spinal tap.
Babies diagnosed with PPHN usually need to be cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Pure oxygen will be given to the baby through a tube inserted into the windpipe. An extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine (ECMO) may be used to act as an artificial heart and lung while the baby's lungs recover.
PPHN is a very serious birth defect, and even with treatment the PPHN baby may experience shock, heart failure, brain hemorrhage, seizures, kidney failure, organ damage and even death.
Babies who survive PPHN may have long-term breathing difficulties, seizures, developmental disorders and hearing loss.
Another study showed that mothers who took antidepressants during pregnancy gave birth to babies who experienced withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, tremors, gastrointestinal problems and sleep disturbances.
There is controversy over the safety of these drugs since the long term effects on the baby are still unknown.
Read more about SSRIs:
* Prozac (fluoxetine)
* Paxil (paroxetine)
* Zoloft (sertraline)
* Symbyax (fluoxetine or olanzapine)
* Celexa (citalopram)
* Cymbalta (duloxetine)
* Effexor (venlafaxine)
* Lexapro (escitalopram)
SSRIs and the Warning Signs
Business Booming For SSRI Makers
Why are SSRIs Still Prescribed?
Big Pharma Hits On Pregnant Women
Birth Defects And Other Threats To Mom And Baby Associated With Paxil
SSRI and Birth Defects in the News
DEC-28-06: Use of any SSRI antidepressant in the first trimester of pregnancy resulted in a 40% increase in birth defects and more specifically a 60% increased risk in cardiac abnormalities. [SIERRA TIMES: SSRI BIRTH DEFECTS]
NOV-08-06: Women who used an SSRI during pregnancy had a 34 percent higher relative risk of delivering an infant with a congenital malformation compared with those that did not. [REUTERS: SSRI BIRTH DEFECTS]
APR-06-06: Women who take a popular class of antidepressants during pregnancy have a higher risk of birth complications. [GLOBE AND MAIL: SSRI BIRTH DEFECTS]
FEB-09-06: New research shows that Paxil and other SSRIs may be linked to PPHN a deadly lung disorder in newborns. [FORBES: SSRI PPHN]
FEB-06-06: Results from medical study confirms baby’s risk when mother took SSRI antidepressants while pregnant. Results show that the newborn may suffer from withdrawal symptoms immediately but the long term effects are still unknown. SSRI drugs studied include Paxil, Celexa, Prozac, Zoloft. [FORBES: SSRI BIRTH DEFECTS]
Register your SSRI Birth Defects Complaint
If you took an SSRI antidepressant medication during pregnancy and your baby suffered any type of birth defect, you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible class action lawsuit. Please click on the link below to submit your claim to a lawyer who will review your case at no charge.
Click here to submit your complaint through a secure form
www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/ssri_birth_defects