Paxil Birth Defects

Over the last several years, more information has surfaced regarding the link between mothers who used an SSRI drug and their newborn developing a Paxil birth defect. We are currently investigating cases on behalf of families whose infant was affected by serious side effects and filing a Paxil birth defect lawsuit. If your infant suffered from birth defects please contact us for a free consultation of how we can help.

Abdominal Birth Defects: Also referred to as “Omphalocele”. In September 2005 GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Paxil, sent out a letter to healthcare professionals alerting them to a change in the pregnancy precautions of the Paxil label. The letter advised that according to data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study of infants, women who used an SSRI antidepressant drug had an increased risk of having an infant with abdominal birth defects (omphalocele).

Cranial Birth Defects: Also referred to as “craniosynostosis”. This birth defect was also referenced in the September 2005 GlaxoSmithKline letter to physicians. The letter outlined that exposure to SSRI drugs is associated with an infant having craniosynostosis. This birth defect of the brain is characterized by the premature closing of one or more of the fibrous joints between the bones of the skull before brain growth is complete.

PPHN: (Persistent pulmonary hypertension) PPHN is a serious cardiopulmonary or lung disorder that affects newborns. In 2006 the FDA announced a Public Health Advisory for Paxil and other SSRI drugs regarding a study that suggested a PPHN risk that was six times more common in newborns where the mother used SSRI antidepressant medication during their pregnancy. PPHN of the newborn is the result of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance where venous blood is diverted through fetal channels into the systemic circulation bypassing the lungs which results in systemic arterial hypoxemia.

Heart Birth Defects: On December 8, 2005, the Food and Drug Administration alerted health care professionals and patients about early results of new studies for Paxil suggesting that the drug increases the risk for birth defects, particularly Paxil heart defects, when women take it during the first three months of pregnancy.

Please contact us for a free no-obligation case review if your baby suffers from Paxil birth defects. We are ready to help and can explain your legal options including being part of a Paxil lawsuit. There is never any charge to speak to one of our attorneys. We are currently investigating cases throughout the United States. Call or e-mail us for the latest litigation updates and claim filing deadlines.