Neural Tube Defects and Antidepressants, SSRI Drugs, NTDs

Millions of women take antidepressants like Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro, Zoloft, and Symbyax. Thousands of newborns suffer from birth defects. Is there a connection?

SSRI drugs or antidepressants cross the placenta which may have adverse side effects on the newborn.

What are neural tube defects or NTDs? An NTD is an opening in the spinal cord or brain that early on affects the fetus, sometimes so soon that a woman has no clue that she is even pregnant yet. In the United States, neural tube defects are fairly common with an estimated one in every one thousand live births.

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Two types of neural tube defects exist. Defects that are open like spina bifida and anencephaly are more common than closed neural tube defects. Open neural tube defects mean the brain and/or spinal cord is exposed at birth through a defect in the skull or back bone.

Spina bifida is the most common neural tube defect. Complications include water on the brain where fluid accumulates in the brain, enlarging the head and sometimes causes brain damage, gastrointestinal disorders, urinary and bowel dysfunction, obesity, depression, tendonitis, and tendency towards latex allergies.

The cause or causes of neural tube defects are not readily known. Some causes are genetic, environmental, and nutritional or folic acid deficiencies. Seizure medication has been associated with an increased risk as well as maternal diabetes, radiation exposure, and smoking cigarettes.

Women taking antidepressants may be yet another cause for neural tube defects like spina bifida.

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Do you have a neural tube defect lawsuit? Does your baby or toddler suffer from spina bifida because you were taking antidepressants while pregnant?

How can Monheit Law help you?