Lexapro and Celexa Linked to Congenital Defects

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 33 babies born in the United States each year will have a birth defect. Certain antidepressants and other prescription medications taken during pregnancy have been linked to physical defects in the developing embryo or fetus. Birth defects account for more than 20% of all infant deaths and put affected children at a greater risk for disability or illness. If you are pregnant and currently taking prescription medication, consult a doctor to discuss your options.

Antidepressants classified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been found to cause congenital heart birth defects. SSRIs work by inhibiting the re-absorption of serotonin produced by the body and stimulating the body’s receptors in the process. Lexapro and Celexa belong to this category of SSRI antidepressants, and have been linked to cardiac defects and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

A 2006 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that SSRIs are linked to severe congenital defects that include PPHN. Pulmonary hypertension causes blood pressure in the pulmonary artery of the heart to rise to excessive levels, often requiring the infant to be placed in intensive care. Other birth defects associated with SSRIs include atrial and septal defects.

Birth Defects Linked to Lexapro and Celexa

  • Pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
  • Coartctation of the artery
  • Atrial and septal defects
  • Developmental delays

 

If your child has experienced a severe birth injury on account of an unsafe prescription, get the support and treatment you need to assist you during this difficult time. Our team have years of experience representing birth injury victims and their families, helping them get the compensation they deserve to pay for medical treatment and other financial losses. You can contact our legal professionals for a free consultation by filing out the form on the right.

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