Pediatric Heart Defects – Paxil Birth Defects

Pediatric Heart Defects Now Linked to Paxil Birth Defects

Infants born with pediatric heart defects can experience a range of symptoms – some harmless, others life threatening – resulting from imperfections in the development of their hearts. Pediatric heart defects are congenital, which means they develop in the fetus prior to birth, and they have long term implications; multiple surgeries, procedures, and increased risks of complications during adulthood are the things to which an infant with pediatric heart defects can look forward.

Such pediatric heart defects include Atrial Septal Defect, which is a hole in the septum wall between the left and right sides of the heart that allows blood to flow back and forth and thus causing unequal and often times dangerous amounts of pressure on one side of the heart or the other. Other pediatric heart defects, like Pulmonary Stenosis – a pinched pulmonary valve that can be relieved with a temporary balloon catheter procedure – can be less dangerous for the patient.

Paxil Birth Defects

Paxil Birth Defects known by the FDA and the American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians now include pediatric heart defects. While some pediatric heart defects remain somewhat of a mystery with regard to prevention methods, no exact cause of congenital pediatric heart defects is known at this time. However, there is a strong correlation between the use of the antidepressant drug Paxil during pregnancy and infants born with pediatric heart defects. Mothers who took Paxil at any time during pregnancy whose children suffer from pediatric heart defects should seek legal counsel about a possible Paxil pediatric heart defects lawsuit.

ASD Heart Defect

ASD Heart Defect is an atrial septal defect in the wall between the left and right upper chambers of the heart. The defect can be a small perforation to a large hole that causes blood to flow from one chamber to the other, to the extent that one atrial section endures increased pressure. This increase in pressure makes it harder for the lungs to oxygenate the blood. Infants with severe cases may display blueish-purple skin hue and have difficulty breathing.

Smaller holes (also called “shunts”) or miniscule perforations may go unnoticed or may never produce symptoms. However, larger shunts resulting from ASD Heart Defects can be life threatening if not treated. Infants born with ASD Heart Defects may experience symptoms ranging from heart murmors and rapid breathing while feeding during infancy to pulmonary hypertension, stroke, and heart failure during adulthood.

The prescription drug Paxil was recently linked to ASD Heart Defects in infants whose mothers used the drug during pregnancy. Corrective surgery for these defects can be costly, but are typically non life-threatening. Depending on the patient and the size of the defect in the septum, either a surgical operation or a non-surgical procedure can be conducted to close the defect. The non-surgical procedure involves creating a small incision in the groin and inserting a balloon-like plug which is guided up to the heart through an artery and put in place. While the short term effects of ASD Heart Defects sometimes go unnoticed, patients displaying symptoms should seek out a doctor. If you took the drug Paxil during pregnancy and your child has symptoms of ASD Heart Defects, contact an attorney about a possible Paxil lawsuit.

VSD Heart Defect

VSD heart defects (or ventricular septal defects) are typically undetected at birth but can manifest after a few weeks post-partum. These defects occur when the wall between the left and right ventricles of the heart has a perforation or hole which causes blood to intermix in each both the left and right chambers of the heart. Simply put, a healthy heart moves blood from the body to the lungs from the right ventricle to the left ventricle. VSD heart defects allow the blood from each separated ventricle of the heart to comingle.

This septal defect creates an unbalanced pressure on the left ventricle that can lead to hypertension, shortage or lack of breath, failure to thrive, and poor feeding in infants. Treatment of VSD heart defects generally requires the use of a heart-lung machine and is a very delicate procedure, given the need to operate early in an infant or child’s life.

VSD Heart Defects have been linked to babies of mothers who took the prescription drug Paxil during pregnancy. Side effects and symptoms of Paxil VSD Heart Defects are sometimes difficult to recognize, because unlike most other heart defects, VSD Heart Defects do not cause the infant to turn blue during episodes. Instead, afflicted babies may display faster breathing and increased sweating during feedings. If you used Paxil during pregnancy and your infant or child has VSD Heart Defects, contact a lawyer today to evaluate your case.

Paxil Lawsuit

The Stenger Law Firm, LLC is currently filing Paxil Lawsuits on behalf of families whose children currently suffer or have suffered from any of the above mentioned injuries or death due to Paxil. Our attorneys can provide a free case evaluation to potentially file a Paxil Defects Lawsuit. Call The Stenger Law Firm, LLC at our toll free number today: (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.