A 2005 study titled “Neonatal signs after late in utero exposure to serotonin reuptake inhibitors: literature review and implications for clinical applications.” published by EL Moses-Kolko et al. in Journal of the American Medical Association sheds light on perinatal complications associated with in utero exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The authors state “A neonatal behavioral syndrome linked to in utero serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) exposure during the last trimester of pregnancy has been identified” and warns that “The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and drug manufacturers have recently agreed to a class labeling change for SRIs, which include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), to include information about potential adverse events in neonates exposed in utero.”

Reviewing 13 case studies published between 1966 and 2004 (describing 18 individuals), the researchers found that “Compared with early gestational SRI exposure or no exposure, late SRI exposure carries an overall risk ratio of 3.0 (95% CI, 2.0-4.4) for a neonatal behavioral syndrome”, noting that “The most SRI-related neonatal case reports involved fluoxetine and paroxetine exposures.”  This means that babies born to mothers who used SSRIs including Prozac (fluoxetine) and Paxil (paroxetine) were three times as likely to suffer neonatal behavioral syndrome.

Researchers described that “Neonates primarily display central nervous system, motor, respiratory, and gastrointestinal signs that are usually mild and disappear by 2 weeks of age. Medical management has consisted primarily of supportive care in special care nurseries. A severe syndrome that consists of seizures, dehydration, excessive weight loss, hyperpyrexia, or intubation is rare in term infants (1/313 quantifiable cases).”

Because many women have used SSRIs like Paxil or Prozac unaware of the risk for neonatal abstinence syndrome, a number of Paxil® birth defect lawsuits and Prozac® birth defect lawsuits have been filed.

If you or a loved one used Paxil or Prozac and gave birth to a child with a congenital malformation or neonatal behavioral syndrome, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation.  For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of Paxil® birth defects lawyers and Prozac® birth defects lawyers at the information provided below.  We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve.  Call today and see how we can help.

(855) 452 – 5529

justinian@dangerousdrugs.us

Our SSRI Birth Defects Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about SSRIs and Birth Defects.