Zoloft and Birth Defect PPHN

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Zoloft (known generically as sertraline) is a drug used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Zoloft is in a class of drugs known as SSRIs—Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Studies have found a link between SSRIs, such as Zoloft, and PPHN, a life-threatening lung disorder. These medications have also been linked to an increased risk of heart defects in newborns.

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Zoloft and PPHN

Pulmonary Hypertension is a serious heart and lung disorder. When a person has PPH, the blood vessels in the lungs constrict, increasing pressure in the pulmonary artery, a life-threatening situation.

Zololft PPHN

Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, dizziness and fainting spells. The most effective way to treat a person with PPH is a lung transplant. In rare cases a heart transplant may also be required.

A newborn with PPHN may have rapid breathing and heart rate, difficulty breathing or bluish looking skin.

Up to 20% of newborns with PPHN will die, even with treatment. A recent [FDA Health Advisory] states that women who took SSRIs during pregnancy are at six times the risk of delivering a baby that has PPHN, than those who do not take an SSRI drug.

However, in December 2011, the FDA issued an announcement that there is no clear causal link between SSRI use while pregnant and the development of PPHN. Although two studies suggested a link between the use of SSRIs while pregnant and the development of PPHN, three studies did not support such an association. The FDA advises women who are taking antidepressants while pregnant not to stop because of the risk to the fetus of having untreated depression.

Much is still unknown about using Zoloft during pregnancy. The FDA places Zoloft in the pregnancy Category C, which means that animal studies have shown possible fetal harm, but human trials do not show that the risk of birth defects is greater than the risks involved in discontinuing the drug.

Babies whose mothers have taken Zoloft during pregnancy, can suffer withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, constant crying, poor feeding and insomnia.

Pregnant women should work closely with their doctors in order to determine whether or not to stop taking Zoloft during pregnancy.

Zoloft Birth Defect Legal Help

If you took Zoloft during pregnancy, and your child was born with lung birth defects, or developed lung defects later in life, please contact a lawyer to discuss your case by clicking the link below. There is no charge to have your claim reviewed by a lawyer.

Please click here for a free evaluation of your Zoloft Birth Defects claim

Last updated on Feb-1-12

ZOLOFT BIRTH DEFECTS LEGAL ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS

Parents Join Zoloft Lawsuit

January 26, 2012

As more parents reportedly join a Zoloft lawsuit, alleging that infants exposed to the antidepressant prior to birth are at an increased risk of so-called Zoloft heart birth defects, a new study suggests a link between the use of Zoloft while pregnant and a risk of Zoloft side effects in infants. READ MORE

Multiple Zoloft Lawsuits Reportedly Filed

December 19, 2011

Multiple Zoloft lawsuits have reportedly been filed against the maker of the antidepressant, alleging Zoloft pregnancy led to children being born with birth defects. Those birth defects allegedly include Zoloft heart birth defects. READ MORE

Potential Middle-Aged Heart Problems Added to Zoloft Birth Defects

April 8, 2011

A new study indicates that in addition to Zoloft birth defects, the antidepressant medication can lead to heart problems in middle-aged men, HealthDay News reports. READ MORE

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READER COMMENTS

Posted by
Pennsylvania
on March 30, 2011

I took zoloft for 7 years including my whole pregnancy, and for 8.5 months I breastf ed him. He had pneumonia 2x as an infant and just was put on albuterol inhaler for cold weather induced asthma (he is now 4). He has also been in speech therapy since the age of 2 for a delay.

Posted by
Florida
on January 20, 2010

My daughter was just diagnosed with LPA Stenosis. She is 6 years old. I was told that there were absolutely no side effects when taking Zoloft during pregnancy. I was given the Zoloft when I became pregnant with twins. I have not had her twin brother checked yet.

Posted by
Florida
on July 22, 2008

He was a normal size baby when born but suffered resp. distress at birth and was hosp. for a month. He is now on a vent 24/7 and is tube fed. The drs. cannot find a diagnosis or a reason why this has happened. He is now 4 months old and we're still looking for answers. The drs. won't tell me if the drug I took caused this issue because there was no other sign during preg. that I would have a baby with issues.

Posted by
Ohio
on April 10, 2008

My child was born early with lung problems and needed to be put on a respirator to breath for a week. He now has asthma he had ear infections and had to get tubes in his ears. He has OCD, anxiety,asberger's disease,autism, possible ADD, and ODD. He has been a sick child all his life and he has a deformity of his chest cavity where the bones are sunken in. He will always have breathing trouble and developmental and mental issues and I feel it is a direct cause of zoloft. I was told it was safe to take and that there was no cause for concern. I trusted my doctor and the drug company with the life of my child and they have failed me. He struggles every day to fit in and just cope with everyday life.

Posted by
Texas
on April 4, 2008

Upon his birth, my son suffered from birth Cyanosis and low oxygen and heart rate. He did not begin to really speak until he was almost 2 years old. He is now 5 years old and suffers from Audio Processing, Speech and language disorders amongst other physical delays.

Posted by
Arizona
on November 27, 2007

She was pre-mature at 36 weeks, had a seizure at 13 moths of age, has been progressively displaying irregular heart beats, and had 2 large lymphatic malformations on her right leg that needed to be removed... She was born 9-13-01 and is now six.

Posted by
Oregon
on November 12, 2007

My daughter has apnea, brain damage, a feeding tube. She was in the hospital for almost 4 months of her life. She is only 7 months old. She was on a ventilator for 6 months and still gets tube feedings. The Drs have no idea what happened and still have no diagnosis. I had to do CPR on her when she was a month old because she forgot to breathe. She almost died!

Posted by
Iowa
on October 15, 2007

I took Zoloft from 7 weeks all the way through to delivery of the baby. He will be 4 years old on October 22nd. We have constantly dealt with lung issues although it was never diagnosed as PPHN. He has been been in the emergency room at least three times for breathing problems. He has also taken albuterol and pulmicort treatments in addition to liquid steriods. These drugs were at times taken every two hours for several weeks.

Posted by
Kentucky
on September 21, 2007

My daughter was was born with breathing problems, and was diagnosed with pneumnia three times in the six to eight months of her life, and at approx. five/six months old she was diagnosed with reflus disease with her kidney and bladder. She was medicated for it, and then had a surgery to correct a problem with the one way valve from the kidney to the bladder. No one ever looked into the use of Zoloft during pregnancy as the cause.

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Posted by
Arizona
on August 11, 2007

My baby was born with microcephaly and holes in lower chamber of her heart. My child has microcephaly and has global delays due to her small head. Nothing will return her head to a normal shape or size - EVER and she will be disabled for the rest of her life.

Posted by
Illinois
on August 10, 2007

My daughter was born with Microcephaly (which means "small head"). Her head is small because her brain is not developing properly. Her microcephaly was discovered inutero. She sees many specialist, nuerology, genetics, gastroenterology, etc. She is developmentally delayed, gets physical, occupational, developmental, and speech therapies, has a G-tube for feedings. She also has a horseshoe shaped kidney. I am not sure if these defects could have been cause by taking Zoloft, but doctors have not found a cause for her Microcephaly.

Posted by
Mississippi
on August 3, 2007

My baby boy was in ICU for all the symptoms listed in this website and I was taking Zoloft. I was away from my newborn baby boy for a total of 4 days. I was an emotional wreck due to his breathing problems. My family came from other states and could not even see him. He continues to be a poor feeder, I am still on Zoloft and wondering if breastfeeding is wrong now.