Consumer Alert: Certain prescription medications have been linked to an increased risk of atrial septal defects (ASD) in children born to mothers who took them during pregnancy.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If your child or other loved one was born with an atrial septal defect, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and our lawyers can help.
Table Of Contents
What is an Atrial Septal Defect?
Also referred to as a hole in the heart, an atrial septal defect is a congenital abnormality in which there is an opening in the dividing wall between the upper filling chambers of the heart (atria). As a result, some oxygenated blood from the left atrium flows through the hole in the septum into the right atrium, where it mixes with oxygen-poor blood and increases the total amount of blood that flows toward the lungs. Unfortunately, this creates more work for the right side of the heart, and this extra amount of blood flow in the lung arteries can cause permanent damage.
Antidepressants & ASD: An Undeniable Link
Researchers from Denmark’s Aarhus University published a study in September 2009 that concluded that women taking antidepressants during the first trimester of pregnancy were found to be almost twice as likely to have an infant born with heart defects like ASD than women not taking these drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning in July 2006 about the heart defects risk caused by using antidepressants during pregnancy.
Which Antidepressants have been linked to ASD?
The following antidepressants have been associated with the development of atrial septal defects in infants, babies and children if their mothers took them during pregnancy:
- Paxil (Paroxetine)
- Zoloft (Sertraline)
- Celexa (Citalopram)
- Prozac (Fluoxetine)
- Lexapro (Escitalopram)
- Symbyax (fluoxetine and olanzapine)
- Wellbutrin (Bupropion)
- Effexor (Venlafaxine)
- Zofran (ondansetron)
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Depakote and Atrial Septal Defect
Atrial septal defects have also been found in babies born to mothers who take the anti-seizure medication Depakote (divalproex sodium and valproic acid) during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) [1] in June 2010 linked Depakote in pregnancy to a 2.5-fold increased risk of ASD.
Atrial Septal Defect Treatment
Unfortunately, a large percentage of babies born with ASDs don’t display any obvious signs or symptoms. In fact, indicators of the condition may remain hidden until age 30 or later. Telltale sigs and symptoms of ASD may include heart murmurs, shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling of the extremities, heart palpitations, bluish skin color, and lung infections. To learn more about this potentially catastrophic condition, please visit the American Heart Association [2] for more important information.
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Treatment
Many atrial septal defects close on their own during childhood. For those that don’t close, some small ASDs don’t cause any problems and may not require any treatment. However, persistent atrial septal defects eventually require surgery to repair.
FAQs
Who can file an atrial septal defect lawsuit?
Parents or guardians of a child born with an ASD, or individuals who developed health complications from an undiagnosed or untreated ASD, can file a lawsuit if the defect is believed to be caused by external factors.
What are the grounds for filing an ASD lawsuit?
Grounds may include negligence, product liability, medical malpractice, or failure to warn about the risks associated with medications or environmental exposures during pregnancy.
What is the statute of limitations for filing an ASD lawsuit?
The statute of limitations varies by state but typically ranges from 1 to 3 years from the date of diagnosis or discovery of the defect.
Is it possible to file an ASD lawsuit if I live in a different state than where the exposure occurred?
Yes, you can file a lawsuit in a different state, but jurisdictional issues may arise. An attorney can help determine the best jurisdiction for filing your claim.
Do I have an Atrial Septal Defect Lawsuit?
The Pharmaceutical Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in atrial septal defect lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If your child or other loved one was born with an atrial septal defect, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and our lawyers can help.