Lately, there has been more information surfacing about antidepressants such as Wellbutrin and birth defects. Wellbutrin is an antidepressant prescribed to treat depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder among others. Wellbutrin is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Increasing numbers of women who take antidepressants such as Wellbutrin during pregnancy are having children with severe birth defects.

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine claims that the risk of birth defects from mothers taking antidepressants like Wellbutrin during pregnancy is doubled or even quadrupled. These Wellbutrin birth defects can range from mild to very severe and life-threatening.

Wellbutrin Birth Defects

Some potential Wellbutrin birth defects may include:

Aortic Valve Stenosis (AVS) – Aortic valve stenosis (AVS), also known simply as aortic stenosis occurs if the aortic valve in the heart becomes abnormally narrow. This problem area prevents the aortic valve from opening fully which might limit blood flow from the heart to the remainder of the body. Once the valve is obstructed, the heart is forced to work harder to move blood to the rest of the body. After prolonged strain on the heart, it may become weakened.

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) – Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a rare birth defect, present at birth (congenital). In patients suffering from hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), the left portion of their heart is seriously underdeveloped. Because the left side can’t pump enough blood to the body, the right portion of the heart is forced to make up for the left’s deficiency. This extra stress on the right side of the heart may cause it to fail as well. It will eventually become weakened. In most cases, either corrective surgery or a total heart transplant is required in cases of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).

Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) – Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) is a congenital birth defect affecting the aorta. Infants suffering from coarctation of the aorta (CoA) must deal with a narrowing of the passage through the aorta, largest blood vessel from the heart. The narrowing of the aorta forces the heart to pump with more force to get blood through the passageway. Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) puts more strain on the heart and can potentially exhaust the heart. In many cases, coarctation of the aorta (CoA) can be treated successfully, but it must be managed carefully.

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) – Mitral valve stenosis (MVS) is a rare heart condition where the heart’s mitral valve is stenotic (narrowed). This misshapen valve is unable to open correctly which blocks blood flowing into the left ventricle, the primary pumping chamber of the heart. Some symptoms of Mitral valve stenosis (MVS) include being tired and short of breath.

Interrupted Aortic Arch (IAA) – Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare heart disorder that typically occurs along with ventricular septal defect (VSD), ductus arteriosus, or more rarely aortopulmonary window ortruncus arteriosus. The disorder is typically characterized by an underdeveloped aorta. Typically there exists a gap between the descending and ascending thoracic aorta. In most cases, open heart surgery is required shortly after birth.

Wellbutrin Birth Defects Lawsuit: Speak to an Attorney

Many new parents ask themselves what was the cause of my child’s birth defects? Did it happen during pregnancy? The antidepressant Wellbutrin may be linked to causing the development of birth defects in unborn babies, infants, and children when their mothers took antidepressants while pregnant.

Our law firm is handling individual birth defect lawsuits against drug and pharmaceutical companies and currently accepting new Wellbutrin cases across the nation. If your child was born with a birth injury that you believe may have been caused by taking an antidepressant like Wellbutrin during pregnancy, then you should contact our law firm as soon as possible for a free confidential review of your potential birth defect lawsuit case. All cases are handled on a Contingency Fee Basis (no attorney’s fees or expenses charged unless we recover for you.