Paxil Birth Defect Settlement

Millions of people take Paxil each year to relieve symptoms related to depression, anxiety, and other disorders. As a result, the prescription drug’s manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, has generated billions of dollars in revenue. By all measures, the drug is considered a commercial success. However, since its debut in 1992, there have been numerous accounts of babies being born with serious Paxil birth defects of the heart, abdomen, and skull. Please contact us for the latest Paxil birth defect settlement news and filing deadlines if your child was affected by taking this medication during pregnancy.

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.