SSRI Birth Defects Class Action Lawsuit

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used as antidepressants. Drugs included in the SSRI class are Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Symbyax, Celexa, Cymbalta, Effexor and Lexapro. However, some studies, including one published in the New England Journal of Medicine have linked SSRIs to serious birth defects, including persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

The study found that women who took SSRIs during their third trimester were six times more likely to deliver babies born with PPHN—or to have babies that would develop primary pulmonary hypertension—than women who did not take SSRIs during their third trimester.

PPH is a disorder of the lungs in which the arteries are severely restricted, causing the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery of the heart to rise to excessive levels. Blood flow is restricted and oxygen levels in the blood are suppressed.

While in the womb, the baby's circulation is handled by the placenta, and does not go through the lungs. After birth, the baby's circulation switches over from the ductus arteriosus (which now closes) to the lungs.

However, in a baby born with PPHN, the ductus arteriosus stays open and the baby's blood flow continues to bypass the lungs. Since the blood does not enter the lungs, it returns to the heart very low in oxygen.

The baby's organs, such as the brain, kidneys and liver quickly become stressed due to lack of oxygen. PPHN is usually diagnosed within 12 hours of delivery.