The Apgar Test and SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defects

In the five minutes after delivery, the nurse and obstetrician will use the Apgar test to check for comfort in breathing, pulse, skin color and other signs that the child’s cardiopulmonary system is in working order. According to Danish scientists in a study to be published later this year, the score from this test was demonstrably lower than for women who had not taken SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy. Even depression during that period did not have the same risks for the baby as SSRI birth defect side effects.

However, many women are still not aware of these problems, and if the product labeling for some of these drugs does not mention the potential for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) or other conditions in a fetus, they may face raising a child who needs daily care and cannot enjoy their life the way they might have if the mother had been taking other antidepressants, or none at all.

While SSRIs aren’t the only antidepressants linked to birth defects, the Danish scientists note that the drop in Apgar test scores is not found in other types of antidepressants. Still, women should speak with their psychiatrists about risks related to SNRI medications, as some other research indicates that SNRIs could create problems with PPHN.

Unfortunately, many pregnancies can cause mental health problems. It is important to weigh the risks of Zoloft, Paxil and Celexa birth defects versus the possibility of suicide attempts and other conditions. Otherwise, birth defect attorneys note that years of medical monitoring and rehabilitation may be necessary for these children.

For parents who were unaware of the possibility of birth defects when taking an antidepressant, it may be impossible to completely reverse the damage to children. However, a legal remedy may afford some financial assistant in paying for medical bills. Learn more about the process and determine eligibility with the help of a Zoloft lawsuit attorney at the Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro & Prozac SSRI Antidepressant Birth Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. A free consultation is easy to get by filling out the short form there and could be the first step in getting families the help they need.