Lexapro And Birth Defects

by admin on February 14th, 2012

Lexapro and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have long been associated with several serious birth defects. Pregnant women using these drugs are at greater risk of giving birth to babies suffering from Lexapro and birth defects involving congenital malformations of the heart, lungs, abdomen, and skull. A recent study published in the July 2011 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology offers additional evidence of the link between Lexapro and birth defects. It was titled “Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Risk for Major Congenital Anomalies.” The researchers noted that an SSRI similar to Lexapro (also known as escitalopram) increased the risk of certain cardiac abnormalities.

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.