Babies with Birth Defects – Paxil

Babies with Birth Defects Injured by Paxil

Babies with Birth Defects could face a serious prognosis. At best, Babies With Birth Defects require prompt surgical intervention or other procedures to correct or remedy their birth defects. Babies With Birth Defects in their hearts, specifically, can expect a lifetime of medical complications like arrhythmia, cyanosis, murmurs, strokes, and an increased risk of congestive heart failure and even death. While each case of birth defect may have a different cause, the Food and Drug Administration has been able to link many Babies With Birth Defects to mothers who took the prescription drug Paxil during pregnancy.

Paxil

Paxil (generic name “paroxetine”) affects fetal development during the first trimester of pregnancy, according to manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline and the FDA. Mothers who take Paxil during the first trimester have a high incidence of birthing Babies With Birth Defects of the heart, intestines, and/or extremities. Birth defects range in severity and complication, but are a serious threat to the wellbeing of Babies With Birth Defects. Parents of Babies With Birth Defects that may have resulted from Paxil use during pregnancy are currently receiving large settlements from lawsuits filed against GlaxoSmithKline. Contact an attorney if you have Babies With Birth Defects that may have been caused by Paxil.

Gastroschisis

Gastroschisis, a birth defect resulting in a baby’s intestines protruding outside of its body, is a serious side effect that has recently been linked to Paxil use during pregnancy. The birth defect occurs when a hole opens up in the abdominal wall in utero and any portion of the baby’s intestines is exposed outside of the abdominal hernia. The birth defect causes digestion and nutrient absorption problems as well as increased risk of infection, as the internal organs are not protected from outside germs. If the child’s abdominal cavity is large enough to accommodate the protruding intestines, surgery can be performed to reinsert the organs into the abdomen and the abdominal hernia is sewn closed. In this situation, most infants recover without much issue.

However, if Gastroschisis occurs in an infant whose abdominal cavity is too small for intestinal reinsertion, a surgeon will partially reinsert the intestines and sew a mesh sack around the remaining exposed intestines, which will serve as a temporary holder until the child grows large enough for the intestines to fall back inside the cavity. This scenario leaves the child exposed to dangerous infection, and Gastroschisis birth defects can also inhibit the baby’s lungs from expanding to full capacity when breathing. In more severe cases, bowel death – the complete obstruction of the bowels – can occur as a result of Gastroschisis, leading to a lifetime of medical problems and malnourishment.

Gastroschisis birth defects, similar to omphalocele (see below), can lead to expensive medical treatments and require immediate care. The Gastroschisis birth defect frequently appears in newborn children of mothers who took Paxil during pregnancy.

Omphalocele

Omphalocele is a birth defect in the abdominal wall which causes the infant’s intestines to grow outside the baby’s abdomen through the navel in a translucent sac. This occurs when the abdominal muscles fail to grow together completely. The omphalocele birth defect, which has recently been linked to use of the drug Paxil during pregnancy, is detectible by prenatal ultrasound. While the intestines normally protrude into the umbilical cord from the abdomen through week ten of a pregnancy, if they do not return inside the abdominal cavity, severe birth defects can occur.

The omphalocele can be repaired by a surgeon following birth. While the sac surrounding the protruding intestines provides a layer of protection, at some point the surgeon can stitch an artificial covering over the sac to help guide the sac and intestines back into the abdominal cavity as it grows. This surgery usually occurs several weeks after a baby is born. Unfortunately, babies with omphalocele birth defects also experience more severe defects in their heart and other areas. Before the abdominal omphalocele hernia is repaired, the area is also at an increased risk for infection.

Mothers who took Paxil during pregnancy whose babies suffered from omphalocele and other related birth defects should seek an attorney. Omphalocele is a serious Paxil related birth defect.

Paxil Settlement

The Stenger Law Firm, LLC is currently pursuing Paxil Settlements for families of babies born with Paxil Birth Defects. Our attorneys can provide a free case evaluation to determine whether your Paxil Lawsuit can bring possible Paxil Settlements. Call an attorney or paralegal at The Stenger Law Firm, LLC today. Our toll free number is: (888) 665-0077.

Please provide as much information as possible about your case. If you do not provide adequate case information, including injuries or damages sustained it may take us longer to process your inquiry.

There is no charge for this Paxil evaluation.