Zoloft Causes Heartbreak for New Mothers

Boston, MAIt has been well over a year since a study found a link between the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including Zoloft, while pregnant and the incidence of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (February 9, 2006). However, the heartbreak experienced by women who were pregnant when they took Zoloft has not diminished. Now, mothers of babies affected by PPHN are investigating the possibility of lawsuits against Zoloft's maker.

The study found that women who took SSRIs, including Zoloft, 20 weeks or later in their pregnancy were six times as likely to have babies born with PPHN than women who did not take SSRIs during their pregnancy. In the general population, the risk of a woman giving birth to a baby affected by PPHN is one to two infants per 1000 live births.

PPHN is a serious medical condition in which newborns experience abnormal blood flow through their heart and lungs. The babies' pulmonary arteries do not fully open and blood is not oxygenated, resulting in their tissues and organs not receiving enough oxygen. Approximately one-tenth of babies born with PPHN died from it, while others have required medical intervention in order to survive. Moderately severe cases of PPHN still cause hearing loss or brain damage in half the survivors. Other PPHN complications include seizures, developmental problems, and neurological problems.

Symptoms of PPHN include rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, bluish skin, heart murmur, and low oxygen levels. Babies born with PPHN are treated with intent of increasing the amount of oxygen the baby's organs receive. Treatment includes an oxygen mask or plastic hood, assisted breathing and nitric oxide given through a ventilator.

Zoloft is manufactured by Pfizer and is used to treat major depressive disorder that interferes with daily functioning for at least two weeks. It is also used to treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder.

Another problem associated with taking SSRIs like Zoloft while pregnant involves withdrawal symptoms in infants. These symptoms, which occur in approximately one-third of infants exposed to Zoloft prior to birth, include tremors, problems sleeping and gastrointestinal problems. Around 13 percent of infants exposed to SSRIs exhibit severe withdrawal symptoms.

Women who are taking Zoloft and are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant should speak with their doctor about the risks of continuing with the medication. Doctors are advised to weigh the benefits of Zoloft against the potential risks; however mothers who gave birth to babies with PPHN and other problems would likely say that the risk is definitely not worth it.

Lawsuits have already been filed against the makers of some SSRI medications, alleging the companies that manufactured the drugs knew about the risks for babies whose mothers took the drugs while pregnant. Lawsuits against Pfizer are also being investigated on behalf of women who took Zoloft while pregnant.

If you took Zoloft while pregnant and your infant was born with PPHN, contact a doctor to discuss your options.