Zoloft Looms Over Congenital Defects
Zoloft is one of the most widely prescribed antidepressants, which belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) class. To ensure its effectiveness and prevent hazards, strict adherence to the regimen needs to be followed. Additionally, the presence of Zoloft and alcohol might cause harm in the body.
The success of this drug, however, might be put to a stall as recent reports that Zoloft may cause several birth defects are piling up. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, women who took Zoloft in their first few months of pregnancy had twice the risk of having a baby born with a heart defect. Yet, this may not be the only congenital defect linked to Zoloft intake during pregnancy.
Medical experts are now trying to establish the link between Zoloft and the following birth defects:
A club foot is a congenital deformity where one foot or both are internally rotated to the ankle. It is the most common congenital disorder of the legs which may range from mild and flexible to severe and rigid. This problem can be treated by correcting the position of the foot and then applying a cast to keep the position of the foot.
A cleft lip or palate pertains to a break or a gap on the upper lip or on the roof of the mouth which is the palate. This malformation can be corrected with a surgery which may be conducted as early as 3 months after birth.
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) is the result of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance to the point that venous blood is diverted to some degree through fetal channels into the systemic circulation and bypassing the lungs, resulting in inadequate supply of oxygen to the bloodstream which may be life-threatening. Care of the newborn with PPHN must be meticulous involving a continuous monitoring of oxygenation, blood pressure and perfusion. Inotropic drugs like dopamine and dobutamine are often very helpful along with administration of surfactants to improve the condition.
There are a number of cardiac defects ranging from slight abnormality to serious conditions. They may cause the heart not to function properly which may result in developmental problems of the child or even death. Most of the time, congenital heart defects require surgical repair but there sometimes when the defect is minimal, it heals by itself.
Brain and spinal cord defects are actually the defects involving to the failure of the neural tube to close which is the herald of the central nervous system. Despite the surgical intervention to improve its outward physique, the damage to the nervous system may not be corrected as well which may end in a lifelong physical and emotional endeavor to the child.
Birth defects are serious matters thus if you found out that you are pregnant or you are planning to have a child, inform your doctor before starting your Zoloft therapy. This may be something that your child will bear throughout his life.