Prozac and Birth Defects

Lawyers Handling Cases of Prozac Birth Defects

There are thousands of recent cases involving birth defects that are the result of the mother being prescribed Prozac during pregnancy. Many infants have been born with serious problems that are difficult to address medically, often including surgeries and intensive and ongoing treatments. Some types of birth defects have left an innocent child with permanent physical damage. At Arnold & Itkin, we have taken on the mission of pursuing justice for families who have suffered this terrible damage through no fault of their own. Cases of Prozac pregnancy complications have also been reported and many lawsuits filed on behalf of the injured.

SSRI antidepressants have now been linked with side effects and birth defects including PPHN (persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn), an increased risk of heart defects, and abdominal and cranial birth defects. These conditions are called omphalocele, in which the infant's organs protrude through the base of their umbilical cord, and craniosynotosis, in which the baby's head closes earlier than normal, resulting in an abnormally shaped head. Serious heart defects are also the subject of Prozac lawsuits. These include coarctation of the aorta, which causes uneven blood flow to the body and Hypoplastic left heart syndrome in which the heart does not develop normally, among other serious heart defects.

There is also published data linking autism with mothers who took Prozac during their first trimester, one study presented data in which women who took the drug had twice the possibility of having a child with autism. There are thousands of lawsuits that have been filed against Prozac's manufacturer, Eli Lilly, to get justice and compensation for families who face the difficulties of dealing with a child that has a birth defect or other problem that are the result of being prescribed Prozac during pregnancy. One would assume that the FDA warnings would include these risks. Although Prozac does have a "black box" warning advising against the danger of suicide in children and young adults, there has been no black box warning advising parents or expectant mothers that their baby could suffer serious birth defects if they use this medication while pregnant.

Were you warned of the dangers of Prozac on your unborn child?

The FDA issued a Public Health Advisory in 2006 that babies whose mothers took Prozac during pregnancy had 6 times more risk of their child developing PPHN. These children have high blood pressure in the lungs and cannot get enough oxygen into their bloodstream, and will require extensive treatment and medical care immediately after birth. This FDA warning also mentions that mothers who took SSRI inhibitors such as Prozac had an increase in babies having difficulties with irritability, difficulties in feeding, and some cases of difficulties breathing. These serious and frightening conditions are something that any parent would have wanted to know before taking any medication. The failure to warn families of the potential dangers to their child should be addressed with the help of a Prozac birth defects attorney from Arnold & Itkin.

Contact a Prozac birth defect attorney from our firm for information regarding birth defects and filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer.