In December, 2008, a team of researchers from the Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, in Ankara, Turkey, led by F. Alehan, published a study titled “Prolonged neonatal complications after in utero exposure to fluoxetine.” in The Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine.  This article provided further evidence that prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac) can cause adverse perinatal outcomes and neonatal complications.

The article at hand describes a single case, a “female newborn with irritability, increased tonus, jitteriness, and eating difficulties who was referred to our institution. Her mother had been taking fluoxetine (20 mg daily) during the second and third trimesters of her pregnancy. The infant’s signs began on the first day after birth and persisted for 6 weeks.”

After “extensive” testing, a “provisional diagnosis of [Prozac] withdrawal was made.”

Further, the team states “There have been few reports of neonatal complications following maternal fluoxetine hydrochloride treatment. According to these, signs occurred within a few days after birth and lasted up to 4 weeks. To our knowledge, our patient demonstrated the longest duration of signs reported to date.”  Alehan et al. (2008) recommend “physicians be aware of these complications in newborns after fetal exposure in utero to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors” and cautions that “These neonates should be followed-up closely for adverse signs during the first days of life so that signs can be recognized and treated if necessary.”

Due to the fact that a number of women have used these drugs unaware of the link to adverse perinatal outcomes, a number of Prozac birth defect lawsuits have been filed.

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

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.