Recent Study Links Zoloft & PPHN
April 25, 2012
In January of 2012, yet another study was released indicating the link between Zoloft and Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). The study, which was published in the British Medical Journal, concluded that women who began using Zoloft or other Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) after their 20th week of pregnancy were twice as likely to give birth to a child suffering from PPHN as those who had not taken the drug. Women who began taking SSRI antidepressants prior to their 20th week also had an increased risk of their infants developing the problem.
While all SSRI’s posed some risk, the study also singled out Zoloft as posing the worst risk earlier in pregnancy.
What is PPHN?
PPHN is a serious medical condition in which a fetal blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus fails to close after the baby has been delivered. This causes the infant to be unable to circulate oxygen properly into the blood stream even when breathing normally. While the condition is treatable, the fact that the baby does not receive a sufficient amount of oxygen in the blood poses major risks. In the worst cases, the baby may develop a potentially fatal condition as a result of the PPHN.
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How PPHN Affects Families
Women who give birth to babies with PPHN can face substantial physical and emotional injuries, and monetary damages. Babies suffering from PPHN or complications associated with the condition may require years of therapy, incurring significant medical costs and emotional and physical strain on families.
Many believe Pfizer should be responsible for covering these losses and compensating families for the devastation wrought by their dangerous drug.
Contact a Zoloft Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been affected by Zoloft side effects, it is important to contact an attorney. For expert legal help, contact the Zoloft attorneys at Gibbs Law Group today. To schedule your free, confidential consultation, please fill out the form on the right or call toll-free (866) 981-4800.