A new study that was presented at the annual American Psychiatric Association meeting links antidepressants with pregnancy related risks including premature birth and birth defects.
The antidepressants that are known to cause serious risks include a specific class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These types of antidepressants include Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa and Laxapro. SSRIs work by controlling serotonin levels in the brain through affecting a chemical neurotransmitter.
The new study focused on 200 pregnant women, with half suffering from depression. Half of the women that suffer from depression took SSRIs throughout their pregnancies. Of the women who took SSRI’s, about 23 percent gave birth prematurely. Of the women that did not have depression, only 6 percent gave birth prematurely.
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Premature birth can lead to serious birth injuries that can result in permanent disability such as cerebral palsy.
Preterm birth is not the only major risk associated with SSRIs. The Food and Drug Administration has issued repeated warnings about Paxil’s use during pregnancy, citing the high risk of heart related birth defects. In addition, withdrawal symptoms have been noticed in babies who are born to mother’s taking SSRI’s during the third trimester.
are working on cases in which serious injury has resulted due to the negligence of a doctor or medical staff.
