Zoloft Birth Defects

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

The antidepressant SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) Zoloft has reportedly been linked to a number of congenital birth defects. These Zoloft birth defects are thought to be the result of pregnant women taking their prescribed antidepressant medication. One of the most serious cardiac birth defects reportedly associated with use of SSRIs in pregnant women is Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). HLHS is a malformation of the heart that occurs in the womb and leads to life-threatening and long-lasting complications.

If your child was born with Zoloft hypoplastic left heart syndrome after you took the drug during pregnancy, contact our Zoloft lawyers for a free case evaluation. You may be able to receive compensation through a Zoloft birth defects lawsuit.

HLHS Symptoms

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a rare congenital cardiac defect wherein the left side of the heart is underdeveloped, including the left ventricle, mitral valve, aorta, and aortic valve. Infants who have this defect may seem completely fine after they are born, but within a few hours or days serious complications can occur. The condition is irreversible and requires multiple surgeries or, in the most serious cases, a complete heart transplant to save the infant's life.

HLHS affects the heart's ability to pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the body, since the left ventricle (the chamber of the heart that pumps oxygen-rich blood into the aorta) is often underdeveloped and weak. Other structures in the left side of the heart may remain underdeveloped as well, leading to the following symptoms in the infant:

• Lethargy
• Inability or difficulty to feed
• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
• Cold extremities
• Bluish skin color
• Weak pulse
• Death

Zoloft and Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Women who have delivered a child with Zoloft hypoplastic left heart syndrome after taking the drug during pregnancy may have grounds for a Zoloft lawsuit to seek compensation for medical expenses and other damages. If your baby was born with a Zoloft birth defect, contact our Zoloft attorneys today for a free consultation by filling out our simple form.