Zoloft Can cause omphaloceles in infants

Is there a relationship between prescription medication Zoloft and Omphaloceles?

Yes there is a relationship between Zoloft and Omphaloceles as well as other birth defects. Zoloft is an “antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors” (Drugs.com) also known also as SSRIs.  This class of drug works to temporarily balance various chemicals in the brain “that might become unbalanced and cause depression, panic, anxiety or obsessive compulsive symptoms.” (Drugs.com)

Zoloft can treat the following disorders:

• Depression (for which is it primarily prescribed)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Panic/Anxiety Disorders
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

What is an Omphalocele?

An omphalocele “is a birth defect in which the infant’s intestines or other abdominal organs stick out of the navel.”  (NCBI)  In babies afflicted by this, “the intestines are covered only by a thin layer of tissue and can be easily seen.” (NCBI)

An omphalocele occurs during the baby’s development inside the mother’s womb. It is characterized by a failure of the abdominal walls to close as they should.  “Approximately 25%- 40% of infants with omphaloceles have other medical conditions such as “chromosomal abnormalities, congenital diaphragmatic hernias and heart defects.”  (NCBI)

Some of the symptoms of an Omphalocele Include:

• Decreased Bowel Movements
• Feeding Problems
• Vomiting
• Swollen Belly Area
• Fever

The Link between Zoloft and Omphaloceles explained:

In July 2007, the Huffington Post reported that a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that “several severe birth defects (including omphaloceles) were doubled or tripled in frequency, when the mother took SSRIs,” (The Huffington Post) such as Zoloft.

The CDC study “examined histories of 9622 cases of birth defects and 4092 controls who were infants born without birth defects.” (The Huffington Post) The results were distressing.  “Omphaloceles were found to be present 2.8 times as often in the SSRI-treated mothers compared to the control group.” (The Huffington Post)

How Weitz & Luxenberg can help those who may have developed omphaloceles due  to taking Zoloft

No parent should have to endure the heartache (wrong word) of giving birth to a child with an omphalocele or any other health condition. With over twenty years of experience, Weitz & Luxenberg can provide you with legal counsel for your Zoloft case and can help you secure compensation that can be used to cover the following expenses:

• Treatment costs
• Lost income during treatments
• Lost future income due to forced retirement from your child’s affliction
• Any counseling or therapy costs to help cope with your child’s affliction
• Any hired help needed to aid in the recovery
• Medication costs
• Pain and suffering

Acknowledgments:

The Huffington Post:   www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-peter-breggin/pregnant-mothers-should-n_b_57270.html

National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI):

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001989/

Drugs: www.drugs.com/zoloft.html

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