Neural Tube Defects Like Spina Bifida Can Be Caused When A Pregnant Woman Uses Paxil
[Posted on Dec 12]
For several years now, there has been more and more research done on Paxil that further strengthens the case that it can cause significant damage to an unborn fetus if used by the mother while she’s carrying the child. Though it had been available on the market since 1992, it took over a decade for the dangers of using the drug during pregnancy to be adequately communicated to women who had been taking the medication to treat their behavioral disorders ranging from anxiety to stress to depression. Finally, in 2005, the Food and Drug Administration officially re-categorized Paxil, giving it a classification that alerted doctors and patients that it should stop being used immediately once a woman gets pregnant or if she has plans on getting pregnant.
Most often, the Paxil birth defects associated with the medication have been congenital heart diseases, such as Truncus Arteriosus and Transposition of the Great Arteries. However, there are a number of other conditions that research has linked to Paxil, including physical deformities and neural tube defects like spina bifida. Spina Bifida is a condition that occurs when the embryonic neural tube doesn’t close properly during the child’s development and some of the vertebra remain open and unfused. When this happens, there may be no fluid-filled sac around the spinal cord or it can protrude through an opening in one of the bones.
Once a doctor has diagnosed that a newborn has Spina Bifida, they will likely recommend corrective surgery but as anyone can imagine, such a procedure on a child that young is very risky. The parents will have no choice however, because it’ll be their only hope their child has of living a normal and healthy life. Without question, this kind of medical care will be costly, even when insured.
It’s common for families that have children born with Spina Bifida to find themselves financially burdened as a result of the need for their child’s treatment in the short term and the long term. These victims are consulting with a Paxil attorney to determine if they've got grounds for legal action against the makers of the drug. By reaching out to the Law Offices of Chandler, Mathis, & Zivley, PC and receiving their free legal consultation, these families can learn if moving forward with a prescription drug lawsuit is a step they should take.
