In 2005, T.F. Oberlander et al. published results of a study titled “Pain reactivity in 2-month-old infants after prenatal and postnatal serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication exposure.” in the medical journal Pediatrics, demonstrating further the risks of prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs, or “SSRIs.”
The team writes “In this prospective study, we examined biobehavioral responses to acute procedural pain at 2 months of age in infants with prenatal and postnatal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication exposure. Based on previous findings showing reduced pain responses in newborns after prenatal exposure, we hypothesized that altered pain reactivity would also be found at 2 months of age.”
Children exposed to Paxil (paroxetine) and Prozac (fluoxetine), and results showed that “Blunted facial-action responses were observed among infants with prenatal SSRI exposure alone, whereas both prenatal and postnatal exposure was associated with reduced parasympathetic withdrawal and increased parasympathetic cardiac modulation during recovery after an acute noxious event.” The team writes “These findings are consistent with patterns of pain reactivity observed in the newborn period in the same cohort. Given that postnatal exposure via breast milk was extremely low and altered biobehavioral pain reactivity was not associated with levels of maternal reports of depression, these data suggest possible sustained neurobehavioral outcomes beyond the newborn period” and was the first such sizable study.
Unfortunately, many women have used Paxil, Prozac, and other SSRIs during pregnancy unaware of the risks for adverse birth outcomes. As such, a number of Paxil birth defect lawsuits, Prozac® birth defects lawsuits and SSRI birth defect lawsuits have been filed in recent years.
If you or a loved one used Prozac and gave birth to a child with a congenital malformation or who had perinatal complications, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of Prozac® birth defect 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
Our SSRI Birth Defects Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about SSRIs and Birth Defects.