Wellbutrin® and Congenital Birth Defects
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Data suggests that Wellbutrin® might increase the risk of congenital defects in some children whose mothers' take the antidepressant while pregnant.
What Are Congenital Birth Defects?
Congenital defects are abnormalities that exist at the time of — and usually before — birth, regardless of the cause. There can be many reasons for a baby being born with defects. Some are due to abnormal genes in the parents. Others may be due to some harm suffered by the mother during her pregnancy. This harm can come from being exposed to toxins or drugs and alcohol during pregnancy. Other damage can be caused by an infection the mother has while she is pregnant.
There are two basic types of congenital defects: structural and functional. Structural congenital defects often affect function of the body part that is defective.
Are Congenital Defects a Wellbutrin® Side Effect?
Earlier this year, a paper was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology that indicated a possible link between pregnant mothers taking Wellbutrin® and congenital heart defects in their babies.
The human heart develops in several stages. The heart starts out in the early days of fetal life as only a tube. But, it grows so fast it must twist and shape itself backwards to fit within the body cavity. It then assumes the familiar shape of the human heart. It is thought that Wellbutrin® taken during the early weeks of pregnancy may affect the formation of the fetal heart.
The study reported in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found a possible link between the development of the aorta, the main blood vessel that leaves the heart and sends blood through the rest of the body, and when the pregnant mother takes Wellbutrin®. More mothers who took Wellbutrin® had babies with heart defects.
Two main birth defects were found in a small number of mothers taking Wellbutrin®. These were:
- Coarctation of the aorta, a condition that causes this large blood vessel to be narrowed. As a result, the heart has a difficult time pumping blood around the body. Even though this disorder is forming while the baby is still a fetus, it may not be discovered until the person is an adult.
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a severe heart defect in which the left side of the heart is drastically underdeveloped, prevents the heart from adequately pumping blood to the rest of the body. Medication and heart surgery or a heart transplant is necessary to save the baby's life.
Contact a Wellbutrin® Congenital Defect Attorney
If you took Wellbutrin® when you were pregnant and your baby was born with a birth defect, you should contact a Wellbutrin® attorney. A Wellbutrin® congenital defect lawyer can help you file a lawsuit to be compensated for the pain, suffering and expense you have endured. Contact us for more information or to schedule an evaluation of your case.
