A study conducted by the Department of Psychological Medicine, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Subiaco, Australia, titled “Placental Transfer of SSRI and SNRI Antidepressants and Effects On The Neonate”, investigated placental transfer and neurobehavioural effects in neonates exposed to venlafaxine (Effexor), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine, fluoxetine (Prozac), escitalopram, and citalopram (Celexa). The neonates of women receiving antidepressants during pregnancy were studied and cord and maternal drug concentrations were measured at birth. Neurobehavioral tests were used to assess neonates and compared to controls.
Rampono states “Median cord/maternal distribution ratio was 0.7-0.86 (range) for SSRIs, 0.72 for the SNRI venlafaxine and 1.08 for the O-desmethyl metabolite.” It was shown that exposed infants had abstinence scores significantly higher neonatal abstinence scores than controls on day 1. Exposed infants also showed significantly greater brazelton scores for habituation, social interactive, motor and autonomic clusters, and serotonin.
This study found that transfer of SSRIs and SNRIs across the placenta were substantial. Author Rampono J. further states that “Neonates developed mild behavioral symptoms in the early perinatal period but these were self-limiting and similar for both SSRIs and the SNRI venlafaxine.”
If you or a loved one used SSRI during pregnancy and your child was born with a birth defect, your family may be entitled to significant financial compensation from the manufacturer of the drug used for the undue injury, pain, and suffering incurred through no fault of your own. At your convenience, contact our team of Effexor® birth defects lawyers, Zoloft® birth defects lawyers, Paxil® birth defects lawyers, Prozac® birth defects lawyers, Celexa® birth defects lawyers, and SSRI birth defect lawyers to receive a free, no-obligation case consultation.
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