SSRI Birth Defect Studies Back Claims Made in Lawsuits

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There has been a lot of talk about the link between the use of SSRI antidepressants and the development of birth defects and pregnancy complications. Numerous studies have been published and carried out to determine if the link between the two is real or if it is merely based on coincidence. One of the most popular SSRI birth defect studies is a UK-based study that appeared in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry in June of 2011. This study focuses on a large group of women – 138,000 to be exact – and the various uses of SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy.

In-depth Look at the UK SSRI Birth Defect Study

To fully understand the scope of the SSRI birth defect study, you have to examine the intricate details that defined it. The study consisted of 115,000 women – all of whom had given birth between the years of 1992 and 2006. In addition, another 23,000 women were included who were not pregnant. The study noted that only 10% of the women involved were still taking antidepressants during their third trimester of pregnancy.

Despite the fact that the prescribing of SSRI antidepressants increased more than four times compared to periods prior to 1992 through 2006, it was determined that pregnancy was a means of cessation and many women were not prescribed SSRI antidepressants past the first six weeks of pregnancy.

It should be noted that a newsletter for the U.S.-based National Birth Defects Prevention Study revealed in its 2008-2009 edition that taking SSRI antidepressants while pregnant was simply the “lesser of two evils,” and that women could safely take them while pregnant because the risk of birth defects was small. Since then, the opposite has been proven and the risk of SSRI birth defects was indeed larger than any of the women on the drugs had knowledge of.

2012 U.S. Study Reveals Antidepressant Birth Defects Connection

While previous studies showed that there was little risk, a study published by Human Reproduction showed that the use of SSRI antidepressants – namely Zoloft and Paxil – led to an increased risk of birth defects. Such Zoloft and Paxil birth defects included:

* Autism Spectrum Disorder
* Cranial Birth Defects
* Clubfoot
* Spina Bifida
* Abdominal Birth Defects
* Ventricular Septal Defects

This is not a comprehensive list, but it is an idea of the birth defects that have been linked to the use of SSRI antidepressants while pregnant. Additionally, some women have experienced pregnancy complications including miscarriages, trouble conceiving or even premature labor.

There is Help Available

If you have taken any SSRI antidepressants while pregnant and experienced adverse side effects such as pregnancy complications or gave birth to a child with birth defects, there may be help available. You can visit our Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro & Prozac SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page to read more about the birth defect lawsuits that are ongoing. You also have the option of submitting your information to attorneys who are actively investigating the potential link between birth defects and the use of SSRI antidepressants.