With the association of Zoloft to the increased risk of birth defects in infants whose mothers were treated with the antidepressant drug during their pregnancy, it is alarming to note that a study has suggested that there is also an increase in the number of women taking medication, including antidepressants, during their pregnancy. The number of women taking medication in their first trimester 30 years ago has increased to more than 60 percent now said researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health.
These birth defects in infants run the gamut of minor to life-threatening problems that could lead to permanent injury or death. Pfizer-manufactured Zoloft and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) have been linked more and more to these birth defects for the past few years.
Recommended for the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, Zoloft or Sertraline is one of the most prescribed drug in the world. It helps maintain mental balance by increasing the amount of natural substance in the brain called serotonin.
With several studies reporting that infants born to mothers who took Zoloft or other SSRIs after the 20th week of their pregnancy were six times more likely to have persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) as compared to infants whose mothers did not take antidepressants during their pregnancy, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert to warn mothers and cautioned doctors in prescribing the drug. PPHN is a condition wherein newborns are not getting enough oxygen into their bloodstream because of the increased pressure in the blood vessels in their lungs.
Zoloft also increases the risk of infants having septal heart defects wherein the baby has a hole in the heart and omphalocele, a condition wherein some parts of the baby’s intestines are found outside the abdominal wall, aside from neonatal PPHN.And the list of birth defects does not stop there as studies now include cranial skull defects, spina bifida, anal atresia and limb reduction defects. These birth effects require prolonged hospitalization, respiratory support, and tube feeding.
Some problems such as respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycemia, hypotonia, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, tremor, jitteriness, irritability, and constant crying could occur during the baby’s delivery. According to the Zoloft drug inserts, these defects are probably due to either a direct toxic effect of the medication or a drug withdrawal syndrome.
The lack of adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women prompted FDA to classify Zoloft as a Pregnancy category C drug. FDA recommended weighing the potential risks against the benefits of using SSRIs during pregnancy and for doctors and patients to discuss their options thoroughly.
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