Over the past several decades, a number of studies have linked Celexa exposure and birth defects. This morning, I found several more, some of which are summarized below. For more articles demonstrating the connection between birth defects and Celexa, follow the preceding link.
In a 2013 edition of Fetal and Pediatric Pathology, an article by G. Eleftheriou et al., titled “Neonatal toxicity following maternal citalopram treatment.”, important insight is given into the link between adverse birth outcomes and neonatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs. In this case, the focus was on Celexa. The team writes: “Late gestational exposure to citalopram, may be associated with a neonatal toxicity syndrome with immediate onset at birth or soon after birth and sometimes may be mistaken for neonatal withdrawal syndrome.”
Studying a single case of prenatal Celexa (citalopram) exposure, the team found that “Fifteen minutes after birth, the baby became hypertonic”, and concludes that “Neonatal serotonin toxicity due to citalopram seems the most likely mechanism”.
A study titled “Platelet serotonin in newborns and infants: ontogeny, heritability, and effect of in utero exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.” by G.M. Anderson and a team of researchers from Yale University School of Medicine published in a 2004 edition of Pediatric Research studied the physiological effects of prenatal SSRI exposure, focusing on Prozac, Zoloft, and Celexa.
In this study, “The effects of in utero exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI, including fluoxetine, sertraline, and citalopram) were examined by comparing cord blood 5-HT levels in exposed and unexposed newborns.” Results demonstrated that “although platelet 5-HT is low at birth, values quickly increase and stabilize at near-adult levels by 1 mo of age. Gestational exposure to SSRI appears to substantially reduce platelet 5-HT uptake in the fetus, strongly suggesting that such exposure has important physiologic effects.” (emphasis added)
Published in the August, 2002 edition of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, an article by a Finnish team of researchers led by T. Heikkinen, titled “Citalopram in pregnancy and lactation.” makes brief but important mention of the danger of prenatal exposure to Celexa and other SSRI drugs. Studying only 11 mothers who used Celexa while pregnant and comparing them to 10 control mother-child sets, the results of this study are inherently weak. Nonetheless, the team acknowledges that “maternal therapeutic drug monitoring of citalopram should be recommended to minimize fetal exposure”.
Because many women have used SSRI drugs unaware of the risk for adverse birth outcomes, a number of Celexa® birth defects lawsuits and SSRI birth defect lawsuits have been filed.
If you or a loved one used Celexa or another SSRI during pregnancy 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 Celexa® 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
Our SSRI Birth Defects Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about SSRIs and Birth Defects.