Zelmid Lawyer Reviews Cases of PPHN (Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension)
If you took Zelmid during pregnancy and your child developed PPHN (persistent pulmonary hypertension of a newborn) or another Zelmid birth defect, hiring a Zelmid lawyer is one of the most important steps you can take. Zelmid is a SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) that affects the chemicals in the brain, which relieves depression symptoms and improves mood. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that a woman who took a SSRI after the first 20 weeks of pregnancy had a six times greater risk of having a baby with PPHN than a woman who did not use an SSRI during pregnancy.
Effects of PPHN (Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of a Newborn)
Using SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy may cause the baby’s blood to bypass the lungs due to increased pressure in the blood vessels. This condition is called PPHN, and may cause the following symptoms:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Flared nostrils
- Grunting
- Rapid breathing
- Blue tint to the skin
- Low oxygen levels
- Heart murmur
A baby suspected of having PPHN may need an ultrasound, lumbar puncture, echocardiogram and several blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Zelmid Birth Defects
In addition to PPHN, Zelmid may also cause heart defects or create an abdominal defect or cranial defect in a baby. Heart defects linked to SSRI use include the following:
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- Transposition of the great vessels
- Atrial septal defects
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Ventricular septal defects
Use of SSRI drugs also increases the risk for an abdominal defect known as omphalocele and a cranial defect called craniosynostosis.
How a Zelmid Lawyer Can Help
The cost of caring for a child with PPHN or another birth defect is beyond what most families can afford. Regular medical care, surgery, learning support services, physical and occupational therapy, and other expenses can overwhelm parents who want to provide the best possible care for their children. If you choose to file a Zelmid lawsuit, your Zelmid lawyer will review your case thoroughly and help you move forward.
If your child developed PPHN or other Zelmid birth defects, contact one of Chaffin Luhana LLP’s Zelmid lawyers at 1-800-480-1123 for a free case review. All information will be kept confidential.
