Wellbutrin is a popular, FDA-approved antidepressant medication that is believed to contribute to a host of congenital defects. Families are currently filing individual lawsuits and there is no national Wellbutrin class action lawsuit covering all cases. Women who take this drug while pregnant are more likely to give birth to babies who suffer from birth defects of the heart, lungs, cranium, and abdomen. Some Wellbutrin side effects pose mild consequences, and can be treated relatively easily. Others introduce serious complications that can become fatal if they are left unresolved.

We’ll describe the most common Wellbutrin birth defects below, and briefly explain how they are addressed. Along the way, you’ll come to appreciate why many parents of infants suffering from the following problems have considered filing a Wellbutrin birth defects lawsuit.

Holes In The Septum

The American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology reported on a study that revealed a link between prenatal use of Wellbutrin and heart defects. Among the many types of congenital heart problems caused by the prescription drug were holes in the septum. The septum is a wall of tissue that sits between the left atrium and ventricle (upper and lower chambers, respectively) and the right atrium and ventricle.

Normally, the left-sided chambers are filled with oxygen-rich blood. It is pushed from the heart, and travels throughout the body, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the organs and tissues. The right-sided chambers are filled with oxygen-poor blood. It has been depleted of oxygen, and must be replenished by the lungs before circulating to the body again. The septum prevents blood from both sides from mixing.

A hole that develops in the wall between the two atria is called an atrial septal defect. Similarly, a hole between the two ventricles is called a ventricular septal defect. These holes allow blood to mix, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, and many other symptoms.

Most atrial septal defects can be addressed with a catheter technique designed to “plug” the holes. When such a technique proves ineffective, surgery is usually required. Small ventricular septal defects often close on their own. Larger holes typically require surgery.

Premature Closure Of The Skull

This Wellbutrin birth defect is called craniosynostosis. The sutures (fibrous joints) of the baby’s skull close and fuse together too early, impairing the brain’s growth and development. This can lead to several side effects. For example, the baby’s head may take on an unusual shape; the head may develop more slowly than the rest of the body; and intracranial pressure can build to the point that the infant suffers seizures and brain damage.

Treatment for craniosynostosis is given with the goal of reducing pressure on the brain, and correcting abnormalities in the skull’s shape. Surgery is performed to reshape the skull by separating and refusing the individual plates.

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)

As a baby develops in the womb, her lungs are unnecessary for oxygenating blood. This is because she receives oxygen through the placenta. Blood that will be carried through the pulmonary artery to her lungs following childbirth is rerouted back to her heart via a blood vessel known as the ductus arteriosus. When the baby is born, her body adopts a normal circulatory pattern.

Sometimes, the baby’s body fails to adapt after birth; her blood continues to bypass her lungs. Unfortunately, the placenta is no longer available to supply oxygen, which causes her body’s oxygen level to decline. This condition is known as persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). If it is not treated, it can lead to respiratory distress and cyanosis.

Treatment for PPHN involves connecting the baby to a breathing machine, and providing an alternative source of oxygen (e.g. oxygen mask, ventilator, etc). Medications are also administered. If the infant’s body fails to adopt a normal circulatory pattern on its own, an approach called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is taken. An artificial lung is used to oxygenate the blood.

The three conditions described above represent a small portion of the numerous Wellbutrin birth defects that can affect babies. They are among the most common, and each warrants medical attention. If your child has suffered health problems due to exposure to this SSRI drug, you may be able to file a Wellbutrin lawsuit. Contact an experienced Wellbutrin birth defects lawyer to discuss your case. There is no national Wellbutrin lawsuits class action.

Lexapro (escitalopram), is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It had been approved by the FDA to treat depression, and is used off label to treat generalized anxiety disorder (also known as GAD). This drug works by increasing serotonin, which a chemical in the brain that maintains mental balance. We are currently investigating individual lawsuits for families affected by Lexapro birth defects and there is no national Lexapro class action lawsuit covering all cases.

Lexapro and other SSRI antidepressants have been linked to an increased risk of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN), as well as other congenital heart defects. In a study that was released by the New England Journal of Medicine, infants whose mothers took Lexapro during their pregnancy were up to 6 times more likely to be born with Lexapro birth defects involving PPHN than mothers who did not take the antidepressant. The statistics show that the likelihood of PPHN rose to 12 cases per 1,000 births.

In addition to PPHN complications, SSRI drugs have been associated with a host of other serious birth defects such as: ventricular septal defects (hole in the heart), atrial septal defects (hole in the heart), hypoplastic left heart syndrome, coartication of the aorta, Shone’s Complex, and a host of other serious conditions. Some of these disorders range from a minor heart murmur, to extremely serious heart defects that require corrective surgery, or even a heart transplant.

Lexarpo Class Action Lawsuit

A Lexapro class action lawsuit would be quite different from a standard, more typical individual lawsuit involving Lexapro. In a Lexapro class action suit, a large group of plaintiffs would gather to form a single plaintiff for the purposes of the lawsuit. This plaintiff would bring a lawsuit against the manufacturer of Lexapro. In a class action lawsuit for a defective drug, the plaintiffs would be joined even though each separate plaintiff may have a very different list of injuries. Some plaintiffs for instance, may have a heart murmur that does not require surgery, and another plaintiff may have required a complete heart transplant. All plaintiffs would share equally in the award or settlement.

If you took Lexapro during your pregnancy, and your child has suffered a birth defect, you are likely angry and emotionally devastated. It is important to speak with a skilled Lexapro lawyer to educate yourself on your rights in this matter. It is important to know that in cases involving SSRI birth defects, many of these defects will require surgery. Heart surgery is typically required shortly after birth in many instances, and can be required more than once as a child grows. A skilled Lexapro lawyer will be aware of this and calculate the lifetime cost that a birth defect will cause. The manufacturer of Lexapro should be held responsible for the harm their drug has caused, including paying medical expenses, current and future,

If you have a child that has been injured by Lexapro, contact the Lexapro Birth Defects Lawsuits Center for advice and information. We can provide you with a free consultation free of charge and discuss the latest Lexapro lawsuit 2011 news and litigation updates.

Many women whose babies have been born with birth defects have looked into the possibility of filing a Paxil birth defect lawsuit. Cases are currently being filed by individual families and there has not been any Paxil class action settlement. According to a Public Health Advisory issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 8, 2005, prenatal use of Paxil increases the risk of congenital heart defects. This warning was based on information resulting from a Swedish study. Researchers found that pregnant women who take the antidepressant during their first trimester are far more likely to have babies who suffer from one or more heart problems.

The FDA notes that most common cardiac malformations are holes that develop in the wall separating the left and right sides of the heart. But there are many additional Paxil heart defects that may occur. We’ll describe the most serious among them below.

Atrial And Ventricular Septal Defects

The wall separating the two sides of the heart is called the septum. It prevents deoxygenated blood in the right side from mixing with oxygen-rich blood in the left side. The holes mentioned earlier are called atrial septal defects (ASDs) and ventricular septal defects (VSDs) to reflect the chambers between which the holes develop. The atria are positioned above the ventricles.

When a hole forms in the septum, blood from both sides is allowed to mix. In addition to shortness of breath and fluid buildup in the lungs, this problem can lead to several serious complications. These include pulmonary hypertension, endocarditis, and right-sided heart failure.

As noted, ASDs and VSDs are the most common Paxil heart birth defects. While small holes may be absent of symptoms, a large hole can be life-threatening.

Cardiomyopathy

Paxil, as well as other SSRI antidepressants, can also cause a baby’s heart to weaken. The heart becomes less capable of pumping blood effectively, both to her lungs and the rest of her body. This can cause breathing difficulties, abdominal bloating, an abnormally rapid heartbeat, and swelling in her lower extremities.

The condition can be treated with medications and surgery. In severe cases, if treatment is not given, the baby may suffer heart failure or cardiac arrest.

Hypoplastic Left And Right Heart Syndromes

These rare birth defects are defined by a lack of development in one side of the heart. The affected side becomes less able to pump blood. With hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), the left side is unable to pump sufficient oxygen-rich blood to the body. The right side is forced to maintain circulation. With hypoplastic right heart syndrome (HRHS), the right side is unable to pump enough blood to the lungs. As a result, the baby’s body receives too little oxygen.

Heart Valve Problems

The heart is equipped with valves that help regulate the flow of blood as it moves between the chambers; from the right side to the lungs; and from the left side to the aorta. These valves can become compromised as the result of early prenatal use of Paxil.

For example, a congenital defect known as a bicuspid aortic valve is an aortic valve that is missing one of its three leaflets. Tricuspid valve stenosis is a condition in which the opening of the valve is narrower than normal. A cleft mitral valve is a defect in which a slit in the opening allows regurgitation (back flow of blood). These problems are rarely fatal. However, without treatment, they can have a lasting effect on a baby’s life.

There are additional Paxil side effects in children that affect the heart, such as tetralogy of Fallot (a combination disorder involving four concurrent heart defects). The antidepressant can also cause congenital defects that impact other areas of the body, including the brain and abdomen. If your child is suffering from health problems that have resulted from Paxil birth defects, you may be eligible to file a Paxil lawsuit 2011 claim. Contact an experienced Paxil side effects attorney to discuss your options and the latest Paxil birth defect settlement news.