Congenital Birth Defects and Antidepressant Use
When a woman gets pregnant, she cannot always expect an ideal pregnancy. Sometimes, situations arise that need immediate attention and medical treatment. In cases when a pregnant patient is diagnosed to have mood disorders or depression, a doctor may give her medication to address this problem. These medication could come in a class of drug known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) like Zoloft, which is now believed to be linked to miscarriage among pregnant women.
Zoloft is a drug prescribed by doctors to treat a range of disorders from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, social anxiety disorder, to panic attacks. Manufactured by Pfizer, Zoloft is one of the most popular antidepressant in the market today. However, there are emerging studies that link this drug to several birth defects in newborns born to women who took this medicine during pregnancy.
One of the reasons for concern among pregnant users of this drug is that it may cause congenital heart defects among newborns. Congenital heart defects or CHD are abnormalities in the heart seen at brith. The National Institutes of Health reported that congenital heart defects cause more deaths in a person’s first year than any other birth defects. One cause of CHD is believed to be related to genetic disorders but most causes are unknown. In the early weeks of pregnancy, when there is abnormal or incomplete development of the fetus’ heart, congenital heart defects usually happen.
It was reported in the September 2009 edition of the British Medical Journal that women who take antidepressants in their first trimester are two times more likely to give birth to newborns with heart defects than normal. A study which was published in 2010 in the American Journal of Nursing also had a similar conclusion which puts developing fetuses at a risk of acquiring heart defects, namely atrial septal defects and ventricular septal defects.
The FDA classifies Zoloft as a drug which could be potentially harmful to the baby but is believed that its benefits outweigh its risks. If you or someone you know is pregnant while taking this drug, it is best to consult a doctor regarding treatment. It is ill-advised to abruptly stop taking medication which was prescribed to you. Your doctor might find for you a better alternative to Zoloft.
If you find yourself or a loved one falling victim to one of the side effects caused by Zoloft, you could always contact a lawyer to discuss legal options. There are credible law firms that give free consultation to those who may have a valid claim against manufacturers of defective products.