20% of the total infant mortality rate in the United States is attributed to birth defects. Women who take certain drugs, smoke, drink alcohol or under certain medications during their pregnancy are likely to give birth to a child with a birth defect.  The most disturbing birth defect that is to be expected to take place due to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) intake is Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). Primary PPHN causes severe respiratory failure on the infant within hours after its birth causing it to need mechanical ventilation. Fetal abnormalities such as meconium aspiration, neonatal infection or congenital heart malformations may be caused by Secondary PPHN. 1-2% of newborn babies out of 1,000 live births are affected by PPHN notwithstanding its severity or gravity. Multiple organ damage, damage or even death is a manifestation of its severity..

High incidents of birth defects, birth abnormalities have been noted from pregnant women users eve though there have been no satisfactory proofs to date about the association of sertraline hydrochloride drug Zoloft to it. Pregnant women, who used Zoloft, according to clinical studies have twice the chance of having their babies born with a defect. Zoloft birth defects were noted to include clubbed foot, cleft palate, delayed development, persistent pulmonary hypertension, heart defects, skull defects and brain/spinal cord defects.

Because of the slim relation of birth defects to Zoloft, many women who have given birth are puzzled about their infant’s condition and have not taken the suitable steps for their situation.  Because of this fact, many activists encourage a Zoloft lawsuit. Though this act may not lessen the infant’s terrible condition, this can definitely provide inspiration to other victims and will give justice to the cause of those concerned.  The manufacturer should be liable to the breach of product quality, especially to a lifetime mark of damage that people will suffer. Accountability is key to holding goodwill and there should be indemnification to the helpless.  The victims should not be silenced by ignorance but be vigilant instead to defend their rights.

URL REFERENCES:

• http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm283696.htm
• http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/index.html
• http://www.pfizer.com/files/products/ppi_zoloft.pdf
• http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm283375.htm

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Study author Michel Lucas from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston says “higher levels of physical activity were associated with lower depression risk.”

Theoretically, people could be replacing time spent engaging in physical activity in front of television.

Gillian Mead, a geriatric medicine specialist at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in Scotland, commented that “previous studies have suggested that physical activity is associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms. The finding adds to the growing body of evidence that physical activity is important to maintain brain health.”

Medical researchers advice people suffering from depression to  consult a qualified mental health expert to determine if physical activity can ease symptoms of depression in place of medication, such as the antidepressant Zoloft.

Safer Treatment for Depression Should be Sought by Patients

The treatment for depression includes antidepressant intake and talk therapy. Antidepressant medicines are primarily meant to reduce extreme sadness, hopelessness and lack of interest in life that are usual for those with depression.

Antidepressant like Zoloft is supposed to treat depression. However, it can increase the risk of suicide as clinical trials and researches found out. With the studies conducted plus reports from patients, Zoloft has been indicated to have seriously dangerous side effects and withdrawal symptoms. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already released different cautions regarding Zoloft intake.

Litigation against Zoloft Manufacturer

Zoloft is an antidepressant drug manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Its generic name is setraline. Media reports have it that when Zoloft was out on the market, it quickly became one of the largest-selling, globally available antidepressant drugs.

At present, several Zoloft lawsuit have been filed by the affected patients against Pfizer. Birth defects to newborns, physical pain, sexual dysfunction, psychosis, delusion, hallucination, memory loss, sleeping problems, eating disorders, abnormal personality changes, unusual mood shifts, irritability, hostility, self-harm and other acts of violence are among the harmful side effects reported by the complainants.  As for those taking antidepressants, it is safe for them to consider that the number of lawsuit filed against its manufacturer implies that antidepressants may not be the best way to deal with their problems. Medical professionals may offer safer alternatives instead of antidepressant drugs.

References:

· depression.about.com/od/sertraline/a/Zoloft-Side-Effects.htm

· drugs.com/zoloft.html

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Symptoms Found in a Child With PPHN

A child with PPHN usually exhibits labored breathing. Respiratory distress can be seen in children with PPHN because their lungs are getting as much oxygen as they can. This is evident with flaring of nostrils or grunting. Cyanosis or bluish tint is often seen in the child due to low oxygen levels in the blood. You can normally see this on the nail beds and the lips. Abnormal heart sounds can also be heard upon assessment. The heart pumps more blood so an adequate amount can reach the lungs and enough oxygen will be into the bloodstream. These compensatory mechanisms can lead to complications so early detection of the condition is of utmost importance.

Complications Resulting From PPHN

PPHN is a life-threatening condition which needs critical care and medical attention. Early detection however cannot give you an assurance that your child will not suffer complications due to PPHN. The complications are mainly brought by the inadequate supply of oxygen to the organ systems which may result to shock, heart failure, kidney failure, brain damage, seizures and death. The baby and the family can be burdened by these complications as they are serious medical conditions. As mentioned above, PPHN has been associated with the use of Zoloft so the affected parties filed a Zoloft lawsuit to receive the compensation that they rightfully deserve.

Currently the FDA has placed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants such as Zoloft in its “Category C” pregnancy class.  Drugs in this class have research that has shown an adverse effect on the fetus in animal reproductive studies, though such controlled studies have not been taken on humans.

The FDA has reported using Zoloft during the first trimester of pregnancy with increased odds of the following birth defects: omphalocele, which is an abdominal wall defect, anal atresia, this is where the rectum of the baby is malformed, limb reduction defects, and septal defects; however these specific defects themselves are rare and therefore these defects will not happen 100% of the time.  Cranial birth defects, neural tube defects, clubfoot tremors are the more common birth defects caused by Zoloft usage; Zoloft has also been known to be linked to post-birth problems such as: breathing difficulty, feeding problems, and seizures.

Other factors should be taken into consideration as well as Zoloft usage may not be the only contributing factor to the birth defect inflicted on the newborn child. First it must be known if the mother was on another medication during the pregnancy as other drugs combined with Zoloft can have an adverse affect on the unborn child.  Genetics must also be taken into account as many women do have a family history of birth defects which can cause the baby to have a higher chance of being born with a birth defect.

With the FDA warnings and the increasing number of claims of Zoloft usage causing birth defects many are filing Zoloft Lawsuits. If you believe that the birth defect in your child has been made to suffer through has been caused by the usage of Zoloft during pregnancy then you should know your legal rights.  To know more about any legal action you can take visit with a Zoloft Lawyer as soon as possible, many will give you a free consultation on the matter.

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Zoloft has had its bumps in its almost 20 year history as it has been involved in several lawsuits.  One of the more notable lawsuits that Zoloft was linked to has to do with a warning letter from a subdivision of the FDA known as the Federal Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications. The contents of letter accused Pfizer of marketing and selling Zoloft outside of the FDA approved reasons for its use.  In a rare and unexpected move, the Federal Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications made this letter public for anyone to view. Another set of lawsuits surfaced against Pfizer in 2004, as many of them claimed Pfizer did not properly disclose the potential side effects of Zoloft.  To date there are still side effects of Zoloft intake that Pfizer has yet to acknowledged, there are numerous patients who claim to be dealing with or have dealt with these “side effects.”

There are several side effects that Zoloft has been know to cause; these side effects can include: homicidal or violent behavior, hostility, and suicidal behavior. One side effect called Akathisia happens in about 5% of all patients that are taking Zoloft for their depression. What Akathisia really is, is a mental illness that can cause extreme moodiness; some have claimed that during their bouts of Akathisia, they have exhibited both violent and suicidal behavior.

The numbers don’t lie about Zoloft’s popularity as an anti-depressant drug, however currently there is an increasing growing amount of people who claim that they have been harmed in someway by Zoloft. If harm or injury has been caused by the intake of Zoloft, then visiting a Zoloft Lawyer would be the next best step. Most Lawyers will give you a free consultation and will not charge you unless your case sees compensation.