A birth defect of the heart recently found to be associated with maternal use of SSRI drugs during pregnancy,[1] pulmonary valve stenosis is characterized by a narrowing (stenosis) of the pulmonary valve of the heart, the valve which opens to allow blood to flow from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation.[2]
Specifically, pulmonary valve stenosis has been associated with maternal use of Paxil® (paroxetine) and Prozac® (fluoxetine).[3]
PubMed Health, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, states that when the condition is “moderate to severe,”[4] symptoms include:
- “Abdominal distention
- Bluish color to the skin (cyanosis) in some patients
- Chest pain
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Poor weight gain or failure to thrive in infants with severe blockage
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden death”[5]
The same page concerning pulmonary valve stenosis states that “symptoms may get worse with exercise or activity.”[6]
Treatment and Prognosis for Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
When the condition is mild, medication is usually sufficient for treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis. However, if the condition is severe, surgery may be required “to repair or replace the pulmonary valve.”[7]
Generally, if the condition is mild, it will not worsen of the course of the patient’s life. If the condition is moderate or severe, however, it is likely to worsen and eventually require surgery.[8] But thankfully, most replacement valves can last for decades.[9]
Though the condition may be stabilized though surgical procedures, serious complications are associated with pulmonary valve stenosis. According to PubMed Health, complications associated with pulmonary valve stenosis can include:
- “Abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias)
- Death
- Heart failure and enlargement of the right side of the heart
- Leaking of blood back into the right ventricle (pulmonary regurgitation) after repair”[10]
We are here to help!
Due to the fact that Paxil® and Prozac® warning labels included no information regarding the increased risk of bearing children with pulmonary valve stenosis when the medications are used by expecting mothers, Paxil® birth defect lawsuits and Prozac® birth defect lawsuits are currently being filed, aimed at securing financial compensation for injuries sustained by families around the country.
If you or a loved one used an SSRI during pregnancy and your child was born with pulmonary valve stenosis, please do not hesitate to contact us at (855) 452-5529 or by e-mail at justinian@dangerousdrugs.us for a free, no obligation consultation. Our Paxil® lawyers and Prozac® lawyers have the compassion, experience, and resources required to help you every step of the way.
[1] Diav-Citrin, O. et al. (2008) “Paroxetine and fluoxetine in pregnancy: a prospective, multicentre, controlled, observational study” British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Vol. 66, No. 5; pp. 695-705.
[2] “Pulmonary valve stenosis – PubMed Health” PubMed Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine. © 2012 A.D.A.M., Inc. Available at <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002086/> Accessed 24 January 2013
[3] Diav-Citrin, O. et al. (2008) “Paroxetine and fluoxetine in pregnancy: a prospective, multicentre, controlled, observational study” British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Vol. 66, No. 5; pp. 695-705.
[4] “Pulmonary valve stenosis – PubMed Health” PubMed Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine. © 2012 A.D.A.M., Inc. Available at <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002086/> Accessed 24 January 2013http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002086/
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.