Taking Antidepressants While Pregnant Can Have Serious Consequences

Approximately one to two babies per 1,000 born in the United States develop persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) shortly after birth. Also known as neonatal pulmonary hypertension, PPHN can be a life-threatening condition in which high pressure in the lungs prevents oxygen from entering the bloodstream and circulating to the rest of the body.

For normal pregnancies, PPHN is relatively rare. However, in 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory based on a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine which found links between the use of antidepressants and PPHN in newborns. Researchers found that women who took antidepressants such as Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft or other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) after the 20th week of pregnancy were six times more likely to have babies with PPHN.

Drug manufacturers have the responsibility to ensure their products are safe for consumption or notify doctors and individuals of the possible risks of taking a particular drug. However, too often companies shirk this duty in favor of releasing new drugs on the market as quickly as possible. When they do, they should be held accountable for their negligence.

Did your child suffer from PPHN due to antidepressant use during pregnancy? You could be eligible to submit a claim for compensation for your family's injuries. The Dallas law firm of Miller Weisbrod, LLP, has hands-on trial experience fighting back against Big Pharma, and we will help you determine your real options for recovering compensation. For more information, contact us right away for a free case evaluation.

What Is PPHN?

PPHN occurs when an infant's circulatory system does not properly adjust to breathing outside the womb. Before birth, the fetus receives its oxygen via the umbilical cord. Shortly after birth, the fetal blood vessel (ductus arteriosus) responsible for directing blood from the mother away from the lungs closes, allowing the infant to breathe normally to receive oxygen.

However, for some infants, this blood vessel does not close either completely or at all, resulting in PPHN. Depending on the severity of the defect, infants could suffer from hypoxemia (oxygen-poor blood), respiratory distress, acidosis (higher acidity of the blood) or even respiratory failure.

Long-Term Effects of PPHN

Infants born with neonatal PPHN have a much higher risk of mortality at birth or shortly thereafter if not treated right away. Many infants must spend the first few weeks or even months in the neonatal intensive care unit for treatment. Even after treatment, children with PPHN have a higher risk of cognitive developmental impairment, hearing loss and other complications, leading to learning disabilities and other challenges as they grow up.

Common SSRIs Which Could Cause PPHN

SSRIs are a class of antidepressants often used to treat clinical depression, bi-polar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety disorders. Common SSRIs associated with PPHN are:

• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Zoloft (sertraline)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Fluvoxamine
• Celexa (citalopram)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Symbyax (olanzapine/fluoxetine)

Contact Miller Weisbrod

Miller Weisbrod has a national reputation as a leading advocate for individuals and families who have suffered due to pharmaceutical negligence. We seek to hold manufacturers to account for negligence, including the failure to properly test their products or include appropriate warnings.

For more information on your options for submitting a claim, contact us at 214.987.0005 for a free case evaluation. If you are calling from outside the DFW Metroplex, please call us toll free at 888.987.0005. You may also contact us by e-mail today for more information or to schedule an appointment.