Zoloft Lawsuit Settlements
Zoloft is the brand name for a generic SSRI drug called sertraline. If your child suffers from a birth defect caused by this drug please contact us for the latest Zoloft lawsuit settlements news and information. It was introduced to the marketplace in 1991, and quickly became a bestselling medication due to its efficacy in treating depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. Unfortunately, it has now been linked to a number of congenital defects. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2007 revealed that babies whose mothers used the drug while pregnant were exposed to a risk of several Zoloft birth defects.
Some congenital abnormalities affect the heart; others affect the skull; and still others can cause life-threatening complications related to a baby’s abdominal organs. The NEJM study found that newborns exposed to Zoloft in the womb were six times more likely to be born with an abdominal birth defect called omphalocele. Below, we’ll explain what this condition is, how it affects an infant, and the manner in which it is treated.
Overview Of Omphalocele: How It Affects Your Baby
Omphalocele is a disorder that involves a herniation of the abdominal organs. During early fetal development, a baby’s intestines often protrude into the umbilical cord. By the tenth week, they usually withdraw back into the abdomen. With this birth defect, the intestines fail to withdraw. Instead, they are joined by other organs, which remain herniated. As a result, they develop outside the body rather than within the abdominal cavity.
While protruding into the umbilical cord, the intestines, liver, and other organs are covered by a portion of the peritoneum (a membrane lining the abdominal cavity). It forms a sac that protects them. If this sac ruptures during delivery, the baby will be exposed to infection, which can quickly become life-threatening.
The size of an omphalocele can vary. A small herniation may only involve a limited section of the small intestine. A giant omphalocele will include the small and large intestines, liver, and spleen. When a baby suffers a giant herniation, there is a greater likelihood of additional Zoloft birth defects.
Resolving The Abdominal Herniation
The approach to treating this disorder is influenced largely by the size of the herniation, and whether the protective membrane surrounding the abdominal organs has ruptured. Due to the risks associated with a rupture, delivery of the baby is often completed through Caesarean section rather than a vaginal birth. An exception may be made if the herniation is small, and the liver is still contained in the abdominal cavity.
Surgery is necessary for treating this birth defect. The surgeon’s goal is to return the abdominal organs to the body, and close the opening through which they protrude. A small omphalocele is usually addressed immediately after the baby’s birth. The doctor will make a small cut into the sac that contains the organs, and remove it in order to inspect the intestine for damage. The intestine is then gently moved back into the baby’s body, and the opening is sutured.
Surgery to treat a large omphalocele is often postponed for several months. The reason is because the newborn’s abdominal cavity will not have grown large enough to accommodate the organs. Once the abdomen expands, the intestines, liver, and spleen are returned slowly over the course of two to three weeks. Then, the abdominal opening, over which skin has likely grown, is surgically closed.
Long-Term Risks Of This Zoloft Birth Defect
If a baby’s intestines are returned to her abdomen undamaged, there may be no long-term side effects. On the other hand, if intestinal tissue needs to be removed, she may suffer problems related to digestion later in life.
Also, a large omphalocele is often associated with pulmonary hypoplasia (underdeveloped lungs). If this problem does not resolve on its own, it can lead to future respiratory challenges.
Most of the risk presented by an omphalocele is related to infection stemming from a ruptured sac. There is also a chance that part of the baby’s intestinal tissue will die due to lack of blood flow (ischemia). Both circumstances can become life-threatening without treatment.
If your baby is suffering from abdominal problems related to Zoloft birth defects, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Zoloft lawsuit settlements lawyer to discuss your options.