Zoloft® & Heart Birth Defects
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Zoloft® is an antidepressant drug that is part of a class of drugs known as SSRs. These drugs manipulate the levels of serotonin in the brain, and are the most prescribed antidepressants in the US. Like other SSRI drugs, Zoloft® has been linked to some side effects. The most serious Zoloft® side effects involve injuries to a developing fetus if the mother took the drug while pregnant.
Women who take Zoloft® early in a pregnancy are especially vulnerable to heart birth defects. By day 28 of a pregnancy the heart is well on its way to full development, with the structures of the chambers and blood vessels in place. Structural heart defects generally occur at this time.
Types of Heart Defects Associated with SSRIs
There are several types of heart defects that are believed to be associated with Zoloft® and other SSRIs. One of the reported Zoloft® heart defects include a congenital malformation in which one or more holes is present in the heart. Conditions such as this can lead to congenital heart failure.
Signs and Symptoms of Heart Defects
Symptoms of congenital heart defects can include the following:
- Difficulty feeding and a failure to gain proper weight
- Delayed physical development
- Difficulty breathing
- Bluish skin from lack of oxygen
- Fainting or passing out
The defect can sometimes be so slight that symptoms do not appear for many years or until adulthood. It is necessary for a doctor to confirm a heart defect, which can be accomplished through a variety of tests. These should include at least one of the following:
- EKG
- MRI
- Ultrasound
- Chest x-ray
Long-Term Complications of Heart Defects
While heart defects are the leading cause of death related to birth defects, some are able to be corrected through one or two surgeries. Those that are not immediately corrected may have to be treated throughout the child's lifetime. Options available include pacemakers, catheters, and artificial valves. Heart transplants may also be attempted in certain cases.
Contact a Zoloft® Birth Defect Lawyer
The financial and emotional tolls that heart defects can take on a family are devastating. If you have taken the drug Zoloft® during pregnancy and your child suffers from heart defects or other Zoloft® side effects, a Zoloft® heart defects lawyer can advise you on your rights to compensation.
