In December 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory regarding prenatal use of paroxetine, the generic name for Paxil. The agency warned that taking the medication during the first trimester exposed unborn babies to an increased risk of several birth defects. Among them was a congenital malformation of the skull known as craniosynostosis. We’ll describe the most common variations of the disorder below along with some of their related complications.

Anatomy Of A Baby’s Cranium

Several bones comprise a baby’s skull: the occipital, ethmoid, parietal, frontal, temporal, and sphenoid. In the womb, and until the infant reaches twenty-four months in age, these six bones remain separated. Their only attachment to each other is via fibrous joints, or sutures. The baby’s brain and cranial bones continue to expand until the sutures fuse together, forming an intact skull.

Craniosynostosis is a Paxil birth defect where the fibrous joints between the cranial bones fuse prematurely. When this occurs, the brain and bones are unable to develop naturally. The infant will typically display deformities in the skull and facial features depending on which suture has closed.

Coronal Synostosis

Also known as anterior plagiocephaly, this form of craniosynostosis involves the early fusion of one – and occasionally, both – of the coronal sutures. These joints extend upward from both ears, and connect the frontal bones to the parietal bones. With coronal synostosis, the baby’s brow and forehead are prevented from developing normally. Both appear flattened on the side of the fused suture, and bulbous on the other side. In some cases, the infant’s eye on the side of the defect also becomes misshapen.

Lamboidal Synostosis

The lambdoidal suture connects the parietal and occipital bones (near the back of the skull). When this joint becomes fused prematurely, the condition is referred to as posterior plagiocephaly. The back of the infant’s head becomes flattened as the result of restricted development; the ear on the side of the defect may be positioned further back than normal; and the cranium may appear to lean to one side.

Sagittal Synostosis

This suture runs across the top of the skull between the anterior and posterior fontanelles (spaces between the joining of bones). It connects the left and right parietal bones. Early fusion of this joint causes a condition known as scaphocephaly. Because the premature closure of the sagittal suture prevents the cranium from expanding on both sides, it begins to expand in the front and rear. As a result, the infant’s head may appear elongated.

Metopic Synostosis

The metopic suture connects the left and right frontal bones. When this joint closes early, the front of the baby’s head is prevented from developing naturally. Her forehead may appear smaller and less rounded than normal, to the point of taking on a triangular form. Also, the infant’s eyes may be spaced too closely together. This form of craniosynostosis leads to a condition known as trigonocephaly.

Complications Of Paxil Birth Defects Of The Skull

Abnormalities in the formation of the baby’s skull and facial features may lead to airway obstructions, causing long-term breathing difficulties. Far more serious, however, is the risk of elevated intracranial pressure. Depending on the extent of early fusion, as well as which sutures are involved, pressure can build to dangerous levels within the skull. This can set off seizures as well as cause blindness and brain damage.

Paxil Lawsuit Settlements
Craniosynostosis is one of many possible Paxil birth defects that can pose long-term consequences for babies. In rare cases, it can be fatal. If your infant is suffering from a cranial birth defect stemming from use of Paxil during pregnancy, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation. Contact a Paxil lawsuit 2011 lawyer to discuss your options including the latest Paxil birth defect settlement news.

In December 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory regarding prenatal use of paroxetine, the generic name for Paxil. The agency warned that taking the medication during the first trimester exposed unborn babies to an increased risk of several birth defects. Among them was a congenital malformation of the skull known as craniosynostosis. We’ll describe the most common variations of the disorder below along with some of their related complications.

Anatomy Of A Baby’s Cranium

Several bones comprise a baby’s skull: the occipital, ethmoid, parietal, frontal, temporal, and sphenoid. In the womb, and until the infant reaches twenty-four months in age, these six bones remain separated. Their only attachment to each other is via fibrous joints, or sutures. The baby’s brain and cranial bones continue to expand until the sutures fuse together, forming an intact skull.

Craniosynostosis is a Paxil birth defect where the fibrous joints between the cranial bones fuse prematurely. When this occurs, the brain and bones are unable to develop naturally. The infant will typically display deformities in the skull and facial features depending on which suture has closed.

Coronal Synostosis

Also known as anterior plagiocephaly, this form of craniosynostosis involves the early fusion of one – and occasionally, both – of the coronal sutures. These joints extend upward from both ears, and connect the frontal bones to the parietal bones. With coronal synostosis, the baby’s brow and forehead are prevented from developing normally. Both appear flattened on the side of the fused suture, and bulbous on the other side. In some cases, the infant’s eye on the side of the defect also becomes misshapen.

Lamboidal Synostosis

The lambdoidal suture connects the parietal and occipital bones (near the back of the skull). When this joint becomes fused prematurely, the condition is referred to as posterior plagiocephaly. The back of the infant’s head becomes flattened as the result of restricted development; the ear on the side of the defect may be positioned further back than normal; and the cranium may appear to lean to one side.

Sagittal Synostosis

This suture runs across the top of the skull between the anterior and posterior fontanelles (spaces between the joining of bones). It connects the left and right parietal bones. Early fusion of this joint causes a condition known as scaphocephaly. Because the premature closure of the sagittal suture prevents the cranium from expanding on both sides, it begins to expand in the front and rear. As a result, the infant’s head may appear elongated.

Metopic Synostosis

The metopic suture connects the left and right frontal bones. When this joint closes early, the front of the baby’s head is prevented from developing naturally. Her forehead may appear smaller and less rounded than normal, to the point of taking on a triangular form. Also, the infant’s eyes may be spaced too closely together. This form of craniosynostosis leads to a condition known as trigonocephaly.

Complications Of Paxil Birth Defects Of The Skull

Abnormalities in the formation of the baby’s skull and facial features may lead to airway obstructions, causing long-term breathing difficulties. Far more serious, however, is the risk of elevated intracranial pressure. Depending on the extent of early fusion, as well as which sutures are involved, pressure can build to dangerous levels within the skull. This can set off seizures as well as cause blindness and brain damage.

Paxil Lawyer
Craniosynostosis is one of many possible Paxil birth defects that can pose long-term consequences for babies. In rare cases, it can be fatal. If your infant is suffering from a cranial birth defect stemming from use of Paxil during pregnancy, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Paxil lawsuit settlements lawyer to discuss your options.

We’ll explain each of the four defects in greater detail below. You’ll learn how each one affects the heart as well as the complications they cause. This condition is serious. If your child suffers from TOF or other heart conditions as the result of prenatal use of Paxil, consider filing a Paxil lawsuit claim.

How Tetralogy Of Fallot Affects The Heart

As noted, tetralogy of Fallot is comprised of four heart defects. The first is a hole in the portion of the septal wall that separates the right and left ventricles (lower chambers). It is called a ventricular septal defect. The hole is typically large, and allows blood from both sides of the heart to mix.

The second malformation is a stenotic pulmonary valve. This is the valve that controls blood flow from the right ventricle into the main pulmonary trunk. When the valve is stenotic, it fails to open properly.

A third defect is referred to as an overriding aorta. The aorta is a large artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other areas of the body. It is usually positioned over the left ventricle. An overriding aorta is positioned over the ventricular septal defect.

The fourth and last disorder is called right ventricular hypertrophy. The other defects force the right ventricle to pump harder than normal. The chamber attempts to accommodate the extra strain by thickening its walls.

Paxil Side Effects In Babies Suffering From TOF

A baby born with tetralogy of Fallot will display several symptoms. Common signs include a bluish color to the skin (i.e. cyanosis), labored breathing, and in some cases, momentary losses of consciousness. These side effects are the result of impaired blood flow and lack of oxygen throughout the infant’s body.

It was mentioned earlier that the ventricular septal defect allows blood in the left and right ventricles to mix together. A common outcome is that blood from the left side will move to the right, and be pumped again to the lungs. This causes the right ventricle to work harder in order to pump the extra blood. It also prevents oxygen-rich blood from flowing out of the heart to the rest of the body.

The stenotic pulmonary valve contributes to right ventricular hypertrophy. Because stenosis prevents the passage of blood to the lungs, the right-lower chamber is forced to pump harder.

The overriding aorta reduces the amount of oxygen available to the baby’s body. This occurs because the artery’s position over the septal defect causes it to receive deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle. This blood is prevented from reaching the lungs, and being replenished with oxygen.

Right ventricular hypertrophy may pose the greatest risk among the four defects that make up tetralogy of Fallot. Although the right ventricle thickens in order to handle the extra workload, pressure will continue to increase until the other three defects are corrected. The chamber can continue to wage this battle for awhile, continuing to pump harder than normal, and thickening its walls to compensate for the strain. But its ability to pump sufficient blood to the lungs will slowly decline. This is the beginning of heart failure.

Tetralogy of Fallot is one of several potential Paxil birth defects stemming from prenatal use of the prescription antidepressant. Others include spina bifida, clubfoot, and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). If your child is suffering from health problems that resulted from Paxil and birth defects, you may have the right to file a claim against the drug’s manufacturer. Contact an experienced Paxil lawsuit settlements attorney to discuss your options.

Club foot is not painful for babies. However, severe cases can lead to circumstances that cause pain if the disorder is left uncorrected. For example, the infant may experience extensive arthritis in the affected foot by the time she reaches her teenage years. We’ll present the most common treatment options below. If your toddler suffers from clubfoot or other side effects stemming from prenatal use of Paxil, it may be time to file a Paxil lawsuit against the manufacturer.

Nonsurgical Treatment Of Paxil Clubfoot Birth Defects

When a baby is born, her bones are pliable. They can be manipulated into positions other than those which present at birth. For this reason, treatment often begins shortly after childbirth. The earlier it begins, the greater the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Surgery is rarely necessary. Nonsurgical methods of treating club foot have proven increasingly successful over the last two decades. One of the most common techniques applied by doctors today is an approach called the Ponseti method.

This approach involves stretching the baby’s foot, and thus manipulating the muscles and bones to move the appendage into its proper position. A cast is placed on the foot to maintain this position. The doctor stretches and recasts the infant’s foot every two or three weeks, bringing it steadily closer to its correct alignment.

Once the baby’s foot has been positioned correctly, a brace or special boot is used to hold it in place. These are usually worn for two or three years as the bones continue to strengthen and solidify. If the parents neglect to follow the doctor’s instructions regarding use of these aids, the child’s foot may return to its incorrect position.

Another approach is known as the French method. Here, the baby’s foot is gently stretched and manipulated on a daily basis. Rather than a cast, tape is applied to the foot to hold it in place until the following session. This continues for two or three months, after which the sessions become less frequent (usually, a few times each week).

By the time the infant has reached six months of age, the position of her foot should be correct. The tape is then removed, and a splint is used during evenings until the toddler is able to walk.

With both the Ponseti and French methods, the parents’ commitment and involvement are critical. Ongoing maintenance through the use of special shoes and splints is a key part of therapy.

Surgical Intervention To Correct The Foot’s Position

Occasionally, a baby with this Paxil birth defect needs to undergo surgery to correct the misaligned foot. The disorder may be severe, or the appendage might not respond to either of the treatment methods described earlier. When surgical intervention is necessary, it is usually done when the infant is six or seven months old, or at the discretion of the pediatric orthopedist.

The purpose of surgery is to lengthen – and in rare cases, shorten – the tendons in the affected foot. These tendons restrict movement of the muscles and bones. By lengthening them, the surgeon can more easily adjust the joint, moving the foot into its proper position. The child will need to wear a brace or special shoes for at least a year following the procedure.

Clubfoot can be easily corrected as long as it is resolved early in a baby’s life. Otherwise, it can cause severe disability years down the road. If you or a loved one used Paxil during pregnancy, and have a toddler who was born with a foot deformity or other birth defects, you may be eligible to file a Paxil lawsuit 2011 claim. Contact a Paxil lawsuit settlements attorney to discuss your case.

A rare congenital disorder known as anal atresia (often called imperforate anus) has also been linked to the SSRI antidepressant. This is an abnormality in which the anus is either displaced, or missing. As a result, stool cannot be released from the body through the normal route. While this Paxil anal atresia side effect in babies is uncommon, it does present a health risk in the absence of treatment.

How Imperforate Anus Presents

There are two main forms of this condition. First, the baby’s colon may share a fistula with the bladder or urethra. As a result, stools may pass through the penis. With girls, the large intestine may share a fistula with the vagina, creating another path of release. This presentation is known as “high anal atresia.”

With “low anal atresia,” the colon ends in a group of muscles that constrict, and block the anal sphincter. The anus can be found, but is closed to the passage of stools. This problem usually requires immediate surgical intervention to create an opening.

Signs Of Anal Atresia

This congenital defect is easy to identify at the time of birth. Typically, as described earlier, the anus is missing or in the wrong location. When the large intestine connects to another organ, a baby may excrete feces through the vagina, penis, urethra, or scrotum. If no such fistula exists between the colon and other organs, the infant will be unable to pass stools. Her stomach may feel tight and swollen as her intestine becomes impacted.

How The Condition Is Treated

The form of treatment depends on the infant’s health and the severity of the disorder. In most cases, surgery is performed soon after the birth defect is discovered. If the condition is mild, a perineal anoplasty can be done. The existing anal opening is widened in order to allow feces to pass more quickly. If one or more fistulas exist between the colon and other organs, they are closed during the procedure. If necessary, a new anal opening is created, and the rectal pouch is positioned near it.

For severe cases of imperforate anus – namely, incidences of low anal atresia – a two-step operation is completed. First, the surgeon performs a colostomy. This is a procedure during which a hole (i.e. stoma) is created in the baby’s abdominal wall. The end of the colon is drawn through the hole in order to allow stools to drain outside the body. It is sutured into place, and bag is used to catch the material.

The bag is allowed to remain in place for three to six months as the baby develops. Then, the second step of the operation is performed. The surgeon makes an incision into the abdomen to move the end of the colon to a different location. A new anal opening is created, and a rectal pouch is drawn into place.

The main challenge with surgical reconstruction is manipulating the nerves and muscles near the anus to allow for normal bowel movements. Many babies never gain full bowel control. Some cope with chronic constipation and even bowel incontinence during later years.

Anal atresia, while presenting challenges to normal bowel function, is relatively benign as long as it is promptly treated. There are many worse Paxil birth defects that can place the life of a baby at risk, even with proper treatment. Unfortunately, to date, there has not been a Paxil recall despite multiple FDA public health advisories. If your child is suffering from problems that resulted from Paxil anal atresia or other birth defects, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Paxil birth defects lawsuit lawyer to discuss your options.

The condition is one of several Paxil birth defects that are immediately noticeable when a baby is born. It can be diagnosed by observation alone. Many parents become aware their infants have it prior to childbirth due to prenatal ultrasounds. While clubfoot occurs in approximately 1 in 1,000 newborns, studies suggest the risk is much higher when a woman uses Paxil while pregnant.

What Is Clubfoot?

The term is used to describe a number of congenital foot deformities. The infant’s foot is twisted or has developed in a way that is inconsistent with normal growth. For example, one or both feet may be pointed downward, making walking difficult.

Another type of Paxil club foot problem called metatarsus adductus occurs when the foot rotates inward toward the other. Later in life, the toddler walks with his toes pointing in rather than outward.

Calceneovalgus is a form of clubfoot in which one or both of the baby’s feet point upward. Here, the tops of the feet can often make contact with the shins.

Both metatarsus adductus and calceneovalgus occasionally resolve themselves early in an infant’s life without direct medical or surgical intervention. When either condition persists past the first year, treatment is required to correct them.

Complications That Surface Due To Clubfoot

The presentation of this Paxil birth defect often prompts parents to worry whether the foot malformation causes their baby pain. To clarify, clubfoot is painless. In fact, it has no effect on an infant until he or she attempts to stand or walk.

By the time a baby stands and walks, the condition can cause discomfort. In cases where the deformity fails to resolve on its own, it will often be noticeable to others, and is likely to cause a degree of disability.

Other problems occur when clubfoot is left untreated. First, the baby’s calf muscles usually fail to develop properly due to lack of use. Second, as a toddler, her foot might be noticeably smaller. If the condition only affects one foot, different shoe sizes may be necessary. Third, depending on the deformity, the child may walk on the sides or tops of her feet. This can lead to calluses, sores, and infection. It might also introduce an arthritic condition.

How Clubfoot Is Treated

Most infants born with this Paxil side effect are treated without surgery. Treatment usually involves manipulation of the joint through casting or braces. An approach called the Ponseti method involves weekly cast changes to slowly move the baby’s foot toward its normal position. This occurs over several weeks. In most cases, the foot is positioned properly after four to seven casts. The child is then required to wear braces and special shoes for two or three years following the procedure. The Ponseti method has become the standard approach for addressing most types of clubfoot.

Another option is the French Method. Here, the deformed foot is manipulated on a daily basis, and taped to keep it in the proper position. By the third month, the foot is manipulated a few times each week. This continues for several months until the foot is positioned correctly.

Severe cases of clubfoot usually warrant surgery. An orthopedic surgeon opens the foot to increase the length of the baby’s tendons. Following the procedure, a cast is placed on the foot, after which braces are worn for a year.

Most cases of Paxil clubfoot problems that are left untreated result in functional disabilities – some of them are severe. However, the condition is not life-threatening like Paxil birth defects that affect the heart, abdomen and cranium. If your baby is suffering from foot deformities that resulted from using Paxil during pregnancy, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Paxil lawsuit 2011 lawyer to discuss your options.

This is one of many serious Paxil birth defects that have caused lifelong complications for babies. While there are methods for treating PPHN, the disorder can be fatal. Below, we’ll explain what persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn is, and describe some of the long-term Paxil side effects that may result from the condition.

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension Of The Newborn (PPHN) Explained

In a human body, oxygen-depleted blood flows to the heart from other areas. It enters the right side side of the heart, and flows into the pulmonary arteries. These arteries carry it to the lungs, where carbon dioxide and oxygen are exchanged. Blood is replenished with oxygen, and sent to the left side of the heart. From there, it is circulated throughout the body, bringing oxygen to the organs and tissues.

When a baby is still within her mother’s womb, circulation and oxygenation of her blood occur differently. Oxygen is delivered via the placenta and umbilical cord, making her lungs unnecessary for the task. Rather than flowing through the pulmonary trunk to the lung tissue, blood is sent back to the baby’s heart. This is done through a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus.

When the baby is born, her lungs fill with air to oxygenate her blood. The ductus arteriosus, made unnecessary, closes. From that point forward, deoxygenated blood flows into her heart, to the pulmonary arteries, and onward to her lungs, where it is replenished with oxygen. It is then pumped to the rest of her body.

With persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, this switch from fetal to newborn circulation fails to occur. The ductus arteriosus stays open. As a result, blood continues to flow through the vessel back to the heart rather than reaching the lungs. Because the placenta and umbilical cord are no longer available to deliver oxygen, the oxygen level in the baby’s blood declines.

Paxil PPHN Side Effects

A number of signs present when a newborn suffers from PPHN. She may begin to breathe more rapidly in an attempt to draw in oxygen; her heart may race as it works harder to oxygenate her blood; and her skin may appear bluish, a sign of cyanosis. In some cases, a heart murmur develops in which a whooshing sound can be heard.

These Paxil PPHN side effects are serious. Because the newborn’s body is unable to properly oxygenate her blood, there is an inadequate supply of oxygen available for her tissues and organs. This can result in several life-threatening circumstances. She may suffer from kidney failure, heart failure, and even a brain hemorrhage. She may also experience multiple organ damage.

Long Term Paxil PPHN Side Effects

If persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn is not resolved promptly, the baby will suffer from long-term complications. For example, her lungs may become damaged to the point that they cannot heal properly. This can cause lifelong breathing difficulties. Hearing loss is also common with babies that have suffered from PPHN, continuing years after the disorder has been corrected. This can lead to speech problems.

PPHN is one of several serious Paxil birth defects that can have a lasting impact on a baby’s life. If normal oxygenation is not achieved, the infant will likely die. If your baby is suffering from any Paxil birth defects, such as PPHN, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Paxil birth defect lawyer to discuss your options.

Almost any nutrient or chemical that can get through the natural filter between mother and child can affect a baby negatively or positively. Because we live in such a medication and chemical filled world today, we are just starting to realize what effects our choices of medications can have on our growing children. One such medication that can have terrible side effects for developing babies is Paxil, an antidepressant medication not recommended for pregnant women but often prescribed for them anyways.

What Does Paxil Do?

Paxil is a medication that falls into the category of serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors. Serotonin is the chemical in your brain that causes sensations of well-being and happiness. It is released, at certain times, into the spaces between your brain’s neurons, the synapses. The chemical has an almost immediate effect, but it is almost immediately reabsorbed by the neuron.

While causes of depression are still really unknown, we do know that depressed people can often feel better if this reuptake process is slowed somewhat. If serotonin is given a chance to sit between the synapses for longer, depressed people may feel better. Paxil and other reuptake inhibitors may work very well for the chronically depressed, but they can definitely harm developing babies.

How Paxil Affects Babies

Paxil birth defects are still being studied, but it’s clear that the when the medication is used by pregnant women, particularly during their first and third trimesters, it can be incredibly harmful to developing children. One theory is that serotonin in a developing baby’s brain, a brain which is already beginning to form during the first trimester, helps to develop things like vision, thought, and memory. By disrupting the natural serotonin reuptake process, Paxil side effects may cause a child to be depressed and sad more often than other children, as well as to develop more slowly.

Besides these developmental problems, though, Paxil birth defects can be much more severe. It is difficult to understand why, but this drug can cause cranial and heart defects in developing babies. It is also likely to cause babies to have PPHN, a potentially fatal disorder that causes the heart to function improperly at birth.

If you or a family member has developed Paxil birth defects or Paxil PPHN, it may be time to look into your legal options including a Paxil lawsuit. Many people have argued that the manufacturer of this drug did not adequately warn doctors and pregnant women of its risks for unborn children.