Plaintiffs are filing Georgia birth defects lawsuits with the help of attorneys against the manufacturer of the popular depression medication, Zoloft, alleging that they were told it was safe to take the medication while pregnant. However, studies have shown that abdominal, skull and heart complications have been linked to Zoloft use during pregnancy. In some cases, cardiac problems require heart surgery and other drastic, costly measures.
What is Zoloft?
Zoloft and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications are typically used to treat depression. Research has shown that pregnant women taking these medications while pregnant may be at a higher risk for certain heart defects. In particular, one Danish study concluded that women taking SSRIs during pregnancy showed an increased risk for giving birth to children with ventricular septal defects and atrial septal defects.
Can Zoloft Cause Georgia Birth Defects?
Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil may all cause birth defects including septal heart defects in which the child is born with a hole in the tissue that separates the different chambers of the heart. Anencephaly, a tragic and fatal defect, occurs when portions of the brain and/or skull are missing at birth and is 2.4 times more common in babies born to mothers who had taken an SSRI throughout pregnancy. SSRIs may also cause a 2.8 higher chance of babies suffering from omphalocele, a condition in which one or more of the newborn’s abdominal organs are outside of the body at the time of birth.
Plaintiffs are filing birth defects lawsuits for common heart defects including:
- Persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns
- Transposition of the great vessels
- Pulmonary atresia
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
A study also concluded that babies born to women who were taking an SSRI during pregnancy were at risk of developing the following birth defects when compared to women who did not take SSRIs:
- 2.4 times an increased risk for club foot
- 3.9 times an increased risk for limb reductions
- 4.4 times an increased risk for anal atresia
Additionally, some plaintiffs are working with attorneys to file Georgia birth defects lawsuits even though they had stopped taking the medication while pregnant; simply stopping the antidepressant once you have leaned your pregnant does not mean that your baby will be unaffected by your prior use of the drug. However, manufacturers of SSRIs are not legally required to warn consumers of the increased risks of side effects so babies continue to born with birth defects.
Have You Been Affected?
If you or someone you love took Zoloft while pregnant and your child was born with skull or abdominal defects, you may be entitled to receive compensation. Plaintiffs are taking action and filing Georgia birth defects lawsuits with the help of attorneys across the country. While nothing can undo what has happened to your child, you may still be able to demand accountability from the manufacturer who promoted the drug without issuing sufficient warnings to pregnant women.
Those injured in situations such as this have a lot to deal with and it can be overwhelming. But you do not have to take on the burden alone. Contact Attorney Group for Georgia today to have all your questions answered and receive a free consultation on your possible case.
