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Zoloft®, among other SSRI drugs, has been linked to a variety of potential birth defects.
A congenital heart defect is one of the most tragic defects that parents can face. A cardiac birth defect, or congenital heart defect occurs when the heart of a baby fails to properly develop in the womb. When the baby’s heart fails to function properly, the baby can suffer from long-term developmental issues and even die. Drug exposure during pregnancy can cause congenital heart defects. Antidepressants such as Pristiq®, Celexa®, Effexor®, Lexapro®, Prozac®, and Zoloft®, taken during pregnancy, have been linked potentially to an increase in the risk of having a child with a cardiac birth defect. Some cardiac defects are slight and have no symptoms, and some are so severe as to require a heart transplant. Examples of congenital heart defects include, but are not limited to: · Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. This very serious and life threatening cardiac heart defect is present when the left side of the heart - including the mitral valve and left ventricle and aorta – fail to completely develop. Since the left part of the heart is the main blood pumping area of the heart, this condition can cause sudden death. Sometimes numerous surgeries are required to repair this congenital heart defect with the first procedure sometimes taking place shortly after birth. Heart transplants are also sometimes required. In addition, some patients born with this condition may need more surgeries in their young adult years.
· Coarctation of the Aorta. In this condition, the aorta is too narrow, causing uneven blood flow to the rest of the infant’s body. The aorta is the large artery that pumps blood from the heart into the rest of the body. A doctor may remedy this defect by placing a catheter (tube) into the aorta and then expanding it; surgery is also sometimes required.
· Septal Defect. A septal defect is present when a hole develops in the septum (wall) of the heart. The septum separates the left and right sides of the heart. Septal birth defects can lead to the incorrect circulation of blood, making the heart work extra hard. An atrial septal defect, also known as ASD, is a hole in the wall between the heart’s two upper compartments. A hole in the wall between the two lower compartments is called a ventricular septal defect, or VSD. Treatments are different for both VSD and ASD. The most serious cases require open heart surgery, and some minor cases heal themselves with no surgery. A doctor will have to carefully evaluate each condition for the best possible treatment.
· Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). In this condition, the ductus arteriosus does not close soon after birth as it should. The ductus arteriosus is a larger artery that is present in the unborn baby but normally closes shortly after birth. The ductus arteriosus allows blood to go around the lungs before the baby is born as prior to birth the baby gets its oxygen from the placenta. If the ductus does not close right after birth as is typically the case, the heart is deprived of enough oxygen. PDA is a very serious congenital birth defect that can lead to congenital heart failure and death. This heart defect can be treated at times with medications and sometimes surgery is also needed.
· Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). This is a combination of four types of heart birth defects that can lead to blood not getting enough oxygen from the lungs. A baby born suffering from TOF may have difficulty eating and poor growth / development. Babies born with this condition also may have a blue coloration to the skin known as “cyanosis.” Babies born with this condition often need surgery soon after birth, and sometimes multiple surgeries are required.
· Transposition of the Great Vessels. This condition is also known as transposition of the great arteries. This cardiac defect takes place when the two main arteries carrying blood from the heart, known as the aorta and the pulmonary artery, are transposed / switched / reversed. This causes a severe lack of oxygen in the blood and newborn babies often thus suffer from blue coloration to the skin known as cyanosis. This condition also often requires surgeries quickly after birth in order to correct the reversal of the arteries.
· Heart Valve Abnormalities. Cardiac Heart Valve Abnormalities involve heart valves that are either narrowed, blocked, or fail to close normally. This causes the blood to flow poorly throughout the body. A few of the types of valve abnormalities include pulmonary artresia, Ebstein’s anomaly, and pulmonary valve stenosis. This congenital heart defect can be medically treated with catheters / tubes or doctors may replace faulty valves with man-made valves.
The Defective Drug Litigation Lawyers at The Mulligan Law Firm are evaluating potential claims for birth defects related to SSRI use during pregnancy. We are evaluating potential claims regardless of the location of the potential plaintiffs in any of the 50 United States. If you or a loved one have taken an SSRI or related medications and suffered an injury, you should call us immediately or fill out one of the forms on this website. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and failure to act quickly may cause you to lose your legal rights forever if the statue of limitations expires.
We are also accepting potential referrals of SSRI Congenital Birth Defects and other drug injury claims from other attorneys. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact DrugRxRecall's affiliated attorneys now at 1-888-446-8087, or simply fill out any of the forms on this website.
The Mulligan Law Firm, a national law firm located in Dallas, Texas, provides legal information and resources for injured individuals and their families. The firm has successfully resolved over $600,000,000 in claims for its clients. Formed in 1995, it has been helping people for almost 15 years, with the strength and experience to represent plaintiffs in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured after taking an antidepressant drug, it is important that you consult with a legal professional immediately. The Mulligan Law Firm has lawyers standing by to help you.
You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. We take all cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means you do not pay for our services unless you receive an award or compensation.
Do not delay, as your rights and compensation may be lost forever if you wait. Statutes of limitations vary by state, and failure to act immediately may cause you to lose your potential legal rights forever.
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