New Test May Limit SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Risks

The protocol is underway in Tennessee, where it is used to test oxygen saturation levels for a fetus, and is now a requirement under state law. The Associated Press notes that the parents who spearheaded public support lost their son less than three weeks after his birth due to an undiagnosed condition similar to those caused by Paxil heart defect problems.

SSRI antidepressant birth defects are also known to be caused by a decrease in oxygen in utero. The result includes holes in the cranium and the heart, as well as other disorders that may require a lifetime of treatment. However, most doctors are aware of this problem; a hospital in New York City settled with a family whose child was born with birth defects because of a lack of oxygen undetected by the OB/GYN.

Were the Tennessee law passed in other states, it might reduce the likelihood of Paxil heart defects in newborns. However, if an obstetrician knows that a patient is taking antidepressants, it should be a standard policy anyway. While it is unclear whether or not stopping treatment would improve outcomes for the child, it would at least give families a better chance at recognizing risks prior to birth. Of course, as noted in other articles, women have other options.

Psychiatrists who are aware of a woman’s desire to start a family or become pregnant know that there are alternatives. Numerous other classes of drugs do not carry SSRI antidepressant birth defect risks. Zoloft birth defect attorneys recommend that expectant mothers switch to one of these, or consider alternatives like lifestyle changes. While depression is a common ailment, treatments are diverse.

Unfortunately, many women who took the medications were not properly warned according to many plaintiffs’ claims. If that sounds like you or someone you know, learn more about available legal remedies at the Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro & Prozac SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Get a free consultation with a Zoloft lawsuit attorney and find out whether or not the facts of the potential case make a jury award or settlement likely today.