Take antidepressants, as an example. The March of Dimes estimates that 10% of pregnant women also suffer from depression. These women may have already been coping with depression, or the first symptoms may arise during the pregnancy. Those who do not seek treatment may be putting their unborn babies at risk because women with untreated depression have a higher risk of having a premature or low birth weight baby. Additionally, a person with depression may use unhealthy coping behaviors, such as smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs. Sadly, those in the deepest depression may consider or even try to harm themselves, and ultimately, their babies.

As a result, doctors frequently recommend medication, in addition to other therapies, that will help lift the feelings of helplessness and despair. Often, these antidepressants can offer a quicker relief that helps encourage recovery.

But some antidepressants may also present a danger when used by women who are pregnant. A particular class of antidepressants called SSRIs have been linked to a number of birth defects.

SSRIs are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, and they work by targeting the way that a neurotransmitter, or brain chemical, is absorbed in the brain. Researchers believe that this transaction affects depression. Some of the most frequently prescribe antidepressants are SSRIs, including Lexapro, Celexa, Prozac and Paxil.

After studying a variety of different groups, researchers have concluded that the use of Lexapro and other SSRIs can affect a baby’s development, leading to the following congenital birth defects:

• Atrial and ventricular septal defects
• Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn
• Spina bifida
• Anal atresia
• Various heart and valve problems
• Omphaloceles
• Cleft lip and palate
• Clubfoot

Parents of babies who were born with these Lexapro birth defects undoubtedly have questions. How did these dangerous drugs get on the market? Did the drug manufacturers do enough to ensure the safety of their drugs, under all circumstances?

We are working with these families to help them find answers. We are filing Lexapro lawsuits on behalf of our clients in order to receive reparation for the injuries their children have endured. If your child was born with a birth defect after being exposed to Lexapro and other SSRIs before birth, you may be entitled to compensation as well. Contact us today for a free consultation to review your legal options. There is a limited time to file a Lexapro lawsuit. Please contact us at your earliest convenience.

When SSRI antidepressants are taken during the first trimester – a time when the fetal heart is forming – they can cause numerous heart defects. When they are taken after the twentieth week, they can affect pulmonary circulation. The FDA issued a warning in 2006 regarding this latter risk. Women using SSRIs at this stage of their pregnancy were six times more likely to have babies suffering from a condition called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). We’ll explain how Lexapro and PPHN side effects are treated below.

Lexapro And Birth Defects – PPHN

In the womb, the majority of the fetus’s blood bypasses the lungs. The placenta provides oxygen for the baby’s body, and thus the lungs are unnecessary for the task. A fetal shunt called the ductus arteriosus connects the pulmonary artery to the aortic arch. As a result, blood pumped from the right ventricle (lower chamber of the heart) flows from the pulmonary artery to the aorta, and outward to the body.

Immediately following birth, the baby’s lungs begin to expand in order to take over the task of gas exchange. The ductus arteriosus closes over the following two to three weeks.

In a baby born with persistent pulmonary hypertension, the fetal shunt remains open. As a result, a substantial portion of right ventricular output fails to reach the lungs to pick up oxygen. The deoxygenated blood instead flows directly to the body. A lack of oxygen in the baby’s blood will usually present symptoms shortly after birth. Cyanosis, rapid breathing, and signs of respiratory distress will display based on the severity of the defect.

Delivery Of 100% Oxygen To The Baby

The first step doctors take is to deliver 100% oxygen to the baby’s lungs. This may be done via an oxygen mask or with the help of a mechanical ventilator. The latter approach involves introducing a tube into the newborn’s windpipe as the ventilator takes over the task of breathing for the baby.

These measures can help to relax the pulmonary arteries, thus improving blood flow from the right ventricle to the lungs. However, results may be limited if the persistent (patent) ductus arteriosus is large.

Nitric Oxide For Arterial Dilation

Severe cases of Lexapro birth defects involving PPHN may warrant introducing a small amount of nitric oxide to the baby’s lungs. This is accomplished via inhalation. The gas is usually added to the oxygen that is delivered through the oxygen mask or mechanical ventilation.

Nitric oxide has been shown to be effective in relaxing the blood vessels of the lungs. The goal is to dilate the vessels, thereby allowing more oxygen-poor blood to reach the lungs.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

When 100% oxygen delivery and inhalation of nitric oxide fails to raise the oxygen level in the baby’s blood supply, a last-resort treatment option called ECMO is used. The baby’s blood is sent through a machine similar to a cardiopulmonary bypass (heart-lung) machine. The blood is pumped through a component called a membrane oxygenator, which extracts carbon dioxide and adds oxygen. The newly-oxygenated blood is then sent back to the baby’s body.

ECMO can save the life of an infant with PPHN that fails to respond to other treatment options. However, it poses serious risks, including hemorrhage.

Treatment for Lexapro and birth defects involving PPHN side effects should begin as soon as the condition is detected. If the patent ductus arteriosus is large, the baby’s oxygen supply can drop to the point that damage to major organs can occur.

Lexapro Lawsuit 2012 Help
If your baby is suffering from problems that resulted from Lexapro birth defects, such as persistent pulmonary hypertension, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact a Lexapro lawsuit settlements lawyer to discuss your case.

A rare congenital disorder called craniosynostosis (or, synostosis) can also develop in babies exposed to escitalopram in the womb. The condition causes a deformity of the skull. Mild cases are sometimes missed at birth when they do not cause immediately noticeable craniofacial anomalies. Severe cases present easily-recognizable signs, and can pose life-threatening circumstances. Parents whose babies develop synostosis following prenatal exposure to escitalopram may be eligible to file a Lexapro birth defects lawsuit.

Lexapro And Craniosynostosis Side Effects

A fetus’s skull is composed of several plates of bone. These plates are separated by fibrous sutures that allow the skull to expand as the brain develops. The sutures typically fuse completely by the time a child reaches his or her teen years. Synostosis is a condition where one or more sutures are already fused at birth. As a result, the brain is prevented from growing normally, leading to craniofacial abnormalities.

The physical side effects of craniosynostosis – that is, deformities evident in the shape of the baby’s head – are dictated by the sutures that have fused early. For example, coronal synostosis (so named to indicate premature fusion of the coronal suture) results in a flattened forehead and raised brow. Sagittal synostosis, the most common variation of the defect, causes the skull to elongate from front to rear, and narrow from ear to ear. Metopic synostosis results in a pointed scalp and prominent forehead. Lambdoid synostosis causes the rear of the baby’s head to flatten.

It is also common for infants to experience a number of side effects that are universal, presenting with all types of craniosynostosis. These can include projectile vomiting, sleep apnea, and irritability. The condition may also cause intracranial pressure.

The Danger Of Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

Early fusion between cranial plates can result in elevated pressure inside the skull. This is considered one of the most dangerous side effects of synostosis because it can lead to other complications. In many cases, the pressure goes unnoticed until the baby reaches four or five years of age, and begins to present signs of major problems. He or she might experience vision difficulties, seizures, and minor brain damage. Unregulated pressure within the cranial vault can potentially result in the child’s death.

Surgical Therapy Of Craniosynostosis

In the past, surgeons performed a craniectomy (removal of part of the skull) combined with a suturectomy (removal of a suture). This was done to relieve intracranial pressure and assist with craniofacial molding. This approach is less common today since it does not directly address the cause of the deformities (though it is still used to correct sagittal synostosis). Moreover, there are alternative methods that can achieve the same goals without the extreme trauma that accompanies a craniectomy.

One approach to treating craniosynostosis is called greenstick fracturing. The fused cranial plates are fractured and reshaped to allow for the brain’s growth, and to minimize physical deformity. Bone grafts are usually necessary to bridge any resulting gaps.

Sometimes, excision of the fused suture is enough to relieve ICP and allow for the brain’s development. This is the approach that is often taken to correct lambdoid synostosis.

There are many possible Lexapro birth defects that can develop when a baby is exposed to the antidepressant medication while in the womb. Craniosynostosis, when it is accompanied by substantial intercranial pressure, is among the most serious. If your infant or toddler is suffering from Lexapro and birth defects involving a cranial defect stemming from prenatal use of Lexapro, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation. Contact a Lexapro lawsuit settlements lawyer to discuss your legal options.

We’ll describe TGA below, and explain its impact on a newborn’s health. We’ll also describe how the condition is treated, since without treatment, it is fatal. Many parents have looked into filing Lexapro lawsuit claims after their babies were born with one or more Lexapro birth defects, including those that affect the heart.

What Is Transposition Of The Great Arteries?

The heart’s two lower chambers (called ventricles) are attached to arteries that carry blood away from the organ. The right ventricle pumps blood into the pulmonary artery, which carries it to the lungs for oxygen. The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood from the lungs into the aorta, which carries it to the body. This anatomy ensures the baby’s body receives sufficient oxygen.

With transposition of the great arteries, the two ventricles are attached to the wrong arteries. The right lower chamber pumps blood into the aorta while the left lower chamber pumps blood into the pulmonary artery.

The outcome is that oxygen-depleted blood arrives in the right atrium (upper chamber), is pumped to the right ventricle, which then pumps it to the body. The blood does not receive oxygen from the lungs. At the same time, oxygenated blood from the lungs arrives in the left atrium, is pumped to the left ventricle, which then pumps it back to the lungs. The oxygenated blood does not reach the body. As a result, the oxygen level in the blood circulating through the baby’s body drops. This causes severe problems that present symptoms shortly after birth.

How Transposition Of The Great Arteries Affects A Newborn

In many cases, a hole is present between the atria (i.e. an atrial septal defect, or ASD). This allows blood on the left and right sides to mix. Although an ASD is normally a problem, it is useful with TGA since it allows a limited amount of oxygen-rich blood on the left side of the heart to flow to the right side before being pumped to the body. The immediate health of the baby will depend, in large part, by the size of the ASD.

Despite the atrial septal defect, the infant’s oxygen level will remain dangerously low, and may even decline. Signs of cyanosis might be evident immediately following birth due to too little oxygen throughout the body. The baby may also display shortness of breath. If the condition is left uncorrected, it can lead to lung damage as well as heart failure. Most infants die within six months in the absence of treatment.

Repairing The Heart Defect

Correcting transposition of the great arteries requires surgical intervention. Prior to surgery, a balloon atrial septostomy may be performed to widen the ASD. If the ductus arteriosus (a fetal shunt) is still open, it too may be expanded. This is done to allow more oxygenated blood to reach the body when surgery cannot be performed immediately.

There are two approaches to surgically correcting TGA. The first is called an arterial switch. The surgeon detaches the pulmonary artery and aorta from their respective ventricles, and reattaches them to their proper ventricles. If an ASD is present, it is closed during the procedure.

The second option is called an atrial switch. The surgeon expands the existing ASD, or creates a hole between the atria if one is not already present. This allows oxygen-depleted blood that arrives in the right atrium to flow to the left side of the heart so it can be pumped to the lungs. It also allows oxygen-rich blood in the left atrium to flow to the right side of the heart so it can be pumped to the body. This approach is rarely used to resolve TGA since an arterial switch offers a better outcome.

Lexapro Lawsuit 2012 Help
Transposition of the great arteries is one of many serious Lexapro heart defects. Although babies do well after surgery, the disorder is fatal if it is left uncorrected. If you used Lexapro during pregnancy, and your child developed TGA or other side effects, you may be able to file a Lexapro lawsuit. Contact a Lexapro birth defects lawsuit attorney to discuss your legal options. There is currently no national Lexapro lawsuit class action in the United States and we are working individually with families affected by birth defects caused by Lexapro.

A congenital malformation called tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) may present in newborns whose mothers use SSRI drugs during their first three months of pregnancy. It is one of many serious Lexapro heart defects that can endanger the life of a newborn. You’ll learn more about this birth injury below, including how it is resolved.

Tetralogy Of Fallot: Four Heart Lexapro Birth Defects

This disorder involves four distinct malformations of the heart. An infant born with ToF suffers from pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, a large ventricular septal defect, and an overriding aorta.

Pulmonary stenosis is a condition in which the pulmonary valve (located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery) is narrowed. Outflow from the chamber is restricted, which prevents blood from reaching the lungs for oxygen.

Right ventricular hypertrophy is a disorder in which the right ventricle is enlarged and thickened. This occurs due to impaired blood flow to the lungs. More stress is placed on the chamber, forcing it to work harder than normal.

A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a hole in the wall that separates the left and right ventricles. The wall normally prevents oxygen-rich blood on the left side from mixing with oxygen-poor blood on the right side. A large VSD allows them to mix.

Lastly, an overriding aorta is a defect in which the aorta, a large artery that normally carries oxygenated blood away from the left ventricle, is connected to both ventricles. Rather than being located to the left of the chambers, the vessel is positioned directly above the VSD.

Common Signs Of The Condition

Sometimes, babies suffering from this Lexapro birth defect show signs of cyanosis immediately after birth. Their skin and fingernails display a bluish tint caused by the lack of oxygen in their bloodstream. The degree of cyanosis is largely dependent on the severity of pulmonary stenosis.

Other times, the baby may not show obvious signs of oxygen deprivation. When this is the case, tetralogy of Fallot is usually diagnosed when the doctor notices a heart murmur. An examination is done after other symptoms, including shortness of breath and irritability, present. In some cases, the infant may sporadically lose consciousness.

Repairing The Infant’s Heart

Open-heart surgery is necessary to correct the defects that make up tetralogy of Fallot. First, the surgeon will widen the narrowed pulmonary valve, or replace the valve if it is severely compromised. If the outflow path from the right ventricle is narrowed, it too is widened.

Second, the ventricular septal defect is corrected with a synthetic patch. The patch covers the hole in the wall, and prevents blood in the right and left ventricles from mixing together.

Repairing the narrowed pulmonary valve and VSD will correct the right ventricular hypertrophy, and address the overriding aorta. The right ventricle, no longer burdened with the extra workload, will eventually return to its normal size. Meanwhile, the patch placed on the VSD ensures that only oxygenated blood from the left ventricle is allowed to flow into the aorta.

Left untreated, tetralogy of Fallot usually leads to serious complications later in life. The child may experience stroke due to blood clots that travel to the brain. There is also an increased risk of pulmonary embolism and recurrent bacterial endocarditis. If a baby does not receive treatment for this heart problem related to Lexapro and birth defects, he or she is likely to die by age 20.

If you used this SSRI drug during pregnancy, and your baby was born with any Lexapro birth defects, you may have the right to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact an experienced Lexapro lawsuit settlements attorney to discuss your options. There is a limited time for filing Lexapro birth defects cases. Please contact us at your earliest convenience.

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2006 demonstrated the extent of the risk. Researchers found that babies exposed to escitalopram in the womb were six times more likely to develop PPHN than babies that were not exposed to such drugs. Following the FDA’s warning, many parents have explored filing Lexapro PPHN lawsuit claims on behalf of their children.

The birth defect is not immediately recognizable at birth. Nor does prenatal ultrasound help to identify it since its primary characteristic – failure of the blood to reach the lungs – is only evident following birth. Thus, the doctor must perform a number of tests post-childbirth to diagnosis the condition.

Chest X-Rays

When Lexapro and PPHN side effects present in a newborn, the doctor will order x-rays of the chest. The images may reveal abnormalities that indicate an enlarged heart or signs of pulmonary disease. X-rays are inconclusive, but can provide insight into the infant’s symptoms, and prompt the physician to order further tests.

Ultrasound For Cardiac Imaging

Ultrasound imaging of the heart (echocardiogram) reveals more than mere structural abnormalities. The images will display the manner in which blood flows. Normally, blood flows from the right-lower chamber of the heart (right ventricle) into the pulmonary artery en route to the lungs. In babies born with PPHN, a fetal shunt called the ductus arteriosus, which normally closes after birth, remains open. This shunt carries blood from the pulmonary artery to the aortic arch, from which it travels to the body.

By noting that the ductus arteriosus remains open, the doctor can begin to construct a diagnosis for persistent pulmonary hypertension.

Ultrasound For Cerebral Imaging

Images are also taken of the brain if the physician suspects bleeding may have occurred. This test is ordered to identify a hemorrhage that may jeopardize the health of the baby rather than to help make a diagnosis of PPHN.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

This blood test is ordered to determine whether other conditions are contributing to the infant’s symptoms. It measures the number of red blood cells as well as the protein within the red blood cells that carries oxygen (called hemoglobin). This may reveal that the baby has anemia.

A CBC also measures white blood cells, which play an important role in fighting infections. If the test shows an abnormal level of white blood cells, it may suggest the infant has a bacterial infection or inflammation somewhere in the body.

The number of platelets in the blood is also measured. Platelets play a role in the formation of blood clots to prevent bleeding. A low count may indicate a hemorrhage.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

The purpose of an arterial blood gas test is to determine how well oxygen is being delivered throughout the baby’s body. It measures the level of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the arteries.

The primary function of the lungs is to facilitate the exchange of gases into, and from, the blood. Oxygen moves into the blood while carbon dioxide is pulled from it. If the level of oxygen is low compared to the level of carbon dioxide, it may indicate that blood is not reaching the lungs properly. Because such an imbalance may also suggest other lung diseases, results from an ABG are inconclusive for diagnosing persistent pulmonary hypertension.

Lexapro Lawsuit Settlements
Lexapro and birth defects involving PPHN can become life-threatening in the absence of treatment. That said, it is important to note that many other serious congenital disorders have been linked to this SSRI antidepressant. If your baby is suffering from health issues that are the result of Lexapro birth defects, you may be able to file a claim against the drug’s manufacturer. Contact an experienced Lexapro birth defects lawsuit lawyer to discuss your case.

Some women who are depressed during pregnancy had this illness before they became pregnant, but for others, the illness developed once pregnant. Doctors know it is important to treat depression at any point, but particularly during pregnancy when the unborn baby’s health is so closely tied to the mother’s. Babies born to women with untreated depression are more likely to be born prematurely or at a lower birth weight than those born to mothers who are not actively depressed.

Additionally, women with untreated depression are more likely to use unhealthy coping skills to deal with their illness, such as smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs—all which put their babies in danger. Traditionally, one of the first types of treatment for depression is medication. Doctors often prescribe antidepressants, perhaps in addition to environmental and lifestyle changes, in order to create more immediate results in mood. But many of the most popular antidepressants also cause great concern for pregnant women.

Many antidepressants, such as Lexapro, Celexa, Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft are the first line of defense against depression. All of these medications are a type of antidepressant called a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, or SSRI. They all work by targeting the way the brain absorbs a chemical called serotonin, which scientists believe is key to depression. By altering this absorption, scientists hope to relieve the symptoms of depression, while limiting unpleasant side effects.

Lexapro and Birth Defects
Unfortunately, Lexapro and the other SSRIs have been linked to a variety of birth defects when used by women who are pregnant. One study indicated that when SSRIs like Lexapro were taken during the first trimester of pregnancy, babies were twice as likely to be born with an atrial or ventricular septal heart defect. Another study linked the use of SSRIs in the third trimester with a potentially fatal breathing disorder. This study said that babies exposed to SSRIs late in pregnancy were six times more likely to develop Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, or PPHN.

If you are pregnant and currently taking an SSRI like Lexapro, talk with your doctor in order to carefully review your options to find the best method of treating depression in a way that does not increase the risk of your baby developing Lexapro birth defects side effects.

If you have had a baby who was born with a birth defect after using an SSRI, we encourage you to contact us. We are representing families who believe that the manufacturer of Lexapro should be held accountable for the injuries they have caused babies. We can help you determine your legal options so you can make the best decisions for your family. There is a limited time to file a Lexapro lawsuit 2011 claim. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. There is currently no national Lexapro class action lawsuit and our attorneys are filing individual claims on behalf of families.

Lexapro was introduced in 2002, and was a derivative of another antidepressant, Celexa. Both drugs share the key compound, S enantiomers, but Lexapro is considered a more efficient form of the medication. Lexapro and Celexa are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. These drugs, which also include popular medications like Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac, target the brain chemical serotonin, which is thought to affect mood.

Lexapro Birth Defects

Like many medications, Lexapro can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Some people who used Lexapro experienced nausea, insomnia, shakiness, dry mouth and drowsiness. More seriously, young people who used Lexapro and other SSRIs sometimes experienced an increase in suicidal thoughts—enough so that the FDA decided that SSRIs should not be used by children, teens and young adults.

Even more concerning, studies began to emerge that linked Lexapro and other SSRIs to a wide variety of birth defects. One report revealed that women who used SSRIs during the first three months of pregnancy were twice as likely to have babies with a heart defect. These babies were born with holes in the wall that separated the left and right sides of the heart.

Another study cautioned that women who used SSRIs in the last trimester of pregnancy were six times as likely to have babies with a life-threatening breathing condition called Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN).

Other congenital defects linked with Lexapro and other SSRIs include craniosynostosis, anal atresia, spina bifida and other neural tube defects, omphaloceles, clubfoot and cleft lip and palate.

The FDA recommends that when treating women who are both pregnant and depressed, doctors weigh the wellbeing of the depressed woman against the potential risks for the baby. This is not an easy decision because pregnant women who have untreated depression have a higher risk of delivery low birth weight and premature babies.

Lexapro Lawsuit 2011
But for families whose babies have been injured by Lexapro or another SSRI, the decisions are even more difficult. Many of these families believe that the manufacturers of these drugs should be held accountable for the damage they have caused. We are working with families to help them determine their legal options. If you have been affected by Lexapro birth defects, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your individual situation and help plan your next steps including the most recent Lexapro lawsuit settlements news and litigation updates.

About Depression

Depression is one of the leading illnesses in the United States. Over 14.8 million American adults have been diagnosed with this disease. When a patient is diagnosed with depression, doctors often use combined treatments, but one of the most commonly used treatments are antidepressants. Doctors often prescribe Lexapro and similar medicines called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. These medicines work by altering the way the brain absorbs a chemical called serotonin. Scientists believe that depression may be caused by an imbalance of this chemical, and that by correcting that balance, they can relieve the symptoms of depression.

Depression and Pregnancy

As many 10% of all pregnant women suffer from depression. For years, doctors prescribed antidepressants to women throughout the pregnancy. Studies showed that not treating depression could be more harmful than continuing to take the medicine. Women who have untreated depression have a higher risk of delivering premature or low birth weight babies. In addition, women with untreated depression may be more likely to engage in unsafe behavior including smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs, further putting the health of their unborn babies at risk.

Lexapro Birth Defects

Studies have shown that women who use Lexapro and other SSRIs while pregnant increase their risk of having a baby with several types of birth defects.

In a report in the New England Journal of Medicine that looked closely at these medicines, researchers found that babies who were exposed to SSRIs before birth were six times as likely to have a life threatening breathing disorder called Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, or PPHN. Another study linked Lexapro and other SSRIs to an increased risk of atrial and ventricular septal heart defects. Still other research suggests that Lexapro, like other SSRIs, can contribute to congenital defects including craniosynostosis, omphaloceles, clubfoot, neural tube defects and cleft lip and palate.

Researchers have not indicated why these drugs cause such variety of damage, but at critical points in an unborn baby’s growth, these medicines seem to cause the baby’s body to alter its development, causing structural birth defects.

Many parents feel that the manufacturer of Lexapro, Forest Laboratories, should be held responsible for the damage this drug has caused their babies. We are currently investigating Lexapro lawsuit claims by families who have been affected by this dangerous drug. If your child was born with a birth defect after being exposed to Lexapro before birth, you may have questions. We can help. We offer a no-obligation consultation to inform you of your legal options and help you determine the best next steps to protect your family. There is a limited time to file a Lexapro birth defects lawsuit. Please contact us at your earliest convenience.

One type of congenital disorder that can have a lifelong impact on a baby’s quality of life is spina bifida. It is known as a neural tube defect. Parents whose babies are born with this condition after being exposed to Lexapro in utero may be eligible to file a Lexapro lawsuit claim for compensation.

Types Of Lexapro Spina Bifida And Side Effects

Following conception, the spinal cord and brain begin as a flat structure of specialized cells. This structure curls upward to form the neural tube; it closes by the 28th day of development. If a portion of the tube near the baby’s head remains open, a defect called anencephaly develops. If a portion remains open in the rest of the neural tube, the result is spina bifida.

There are three main forms of spina bifida, and each presents different side effects. The least severe form is called spina bifida occulta. One or more vertebrae (bones that house and protect the spinal cord) remain open. The opening is so small, however, that the spinal cord remains housed within the vertebral column. Side effects are usually minimal, and often absent, with occulta. Some babies will experience back pain later in life.

A second form is called meningocele. Several layers of protective membranes called the meninges protrude through the vertebral opening. The spinal cord and nerves again remain inside the vertebral column. As a result, babies rarely experience serious side effects later in life. However, partial paralysis along with bowel and urinary dysfunction occasionally present.

The third type of spina bifida is called myelomeningocele. It is the most severe form of the defect. The meninges and spinal cord protrude through the vertebral opening, exposing both to damage. Babies born with myelomeningocele usually suffer a degree of paralysis below the defect. In areas of the body unaffected by paralysis, babies often suffer a loss of sensation stemming from nerve damage. Severe pain in the lower back and legs may also present.

Complications Stemming From Spina Bifida

In addition to the side effects described thus far, some babies with spina bifida – and particularly, myelomeningocele – display complications. Most infants with this severe form of the birth defect are born with a condition called hydrocephalus. This is sometimes referred to as “water on the brain.” The position of the cerebellum leads to an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. This anomaly usually requires surgical placement of a cerebral shunt to allow drainage.

Another complication that can develop with myelomeningocele is meningitis. This is a bacterial infection that affects the tissues surrounding the brain. Without treatment, the infection is usually fatal. Antibiotics and corticosteroids are often administered to help control it.

Children born with myelomeningocele often suffer from neurological deficits, such as learning disabilities and an inability to focus their attention. Some display signs that indicate a lower-than-normal intelligence.

Can Lexapro Spina Bifida Side Effects Be Cured?

Unfortunately, the nerve damage that accompanies moderate to severe spina bifida cannot be repaired. Doctors can treat complications, such as hydrocephalus and infection, and help babies cope with physical deformities. However, most primary side effects, such as paralysis and loss of sensation, are believed to be permanent.

There are many other Lexapro birth defects that can develop when women use this antidepressant drug during pregnancy. They can affect the brain, abdomen, skull, and heart. If your baby is suffering from health problems stemming from prenatal exposure to this SSRI drug, you may have the right to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact an experienced Lexapro lawsuit 2011 lawyer to discuss your case.