Published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2007, data from the Sloane Epidemiology Center Birth Defects Study shows an association between taking SSRI antidepressants, including Zoloft, while pregnant and the incidence of several debilitating birth injuries. The study was performed using nearly ten thousand infants with birth defects and about six thousand babies without birth defects. The risk of birth defect is higher in women who take these prescriptions during the first trimester of pregnancy. Potential Zoloft birth defects include congenital heart defects, cranial/skull defects, neural tube defects, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, arm/leg limb reductions, autism spectrum disorders, omphalocele, gastroschisis, and club foot and bilateral club feet. Many of these defects require expensive lifelong medical treatment, and filing a Zoloft lawsuit is one way to lessen this financial burden.
Zoloft Club Foot and Club Feet
Congenital talipes equinovarus, or “clubfoot,” is a birth deformity that can affect either one foot or both. With this Zoloft birth defect, the foot will seem to be rotated inwards from the ankle; around half of club foot cases are bilateral, meaning that both feet are afflicted. In some cases, the foot will be so greatly turned that it may actually appear to be upside-down; usually the calf muscles will also be underdeveloped. Environmental factors, like taking an antidepressant while pregnant, are believed to play a role in the likelihood a baby will be born with club foot. In addition to Zoloft, the following SSRI antidepressants have also been linked to this birth deformity: Prozac, Effexor, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa.
Clubfoot and Bilateral Club Feet Treatment and Complications
Zoloft Club Foot/Bilateral Club Feet will drastically affect the way a child learns to walk, so treatment should begin quickly following birth. The bones and joints of a newborn baby are much more flexible, so treatment that begins during this time has the greatest chance of preventing further complications. The most popular treatment options are the Ponseti Method of casting and stretching, the French method of taping and stretching, and finally surgery may be necessary if the child does not respond favorably to other treatment methods. If left untreated, clubfoot can lead to arthritis as well as body image issues regarding the appearance of the foot/feet.
File a Club Foot or Club Feet Lawsuit: Talk to a Zoloft Attorney
Having a child born with a birth defect, like club foot or bilateral club feet, raises many questions for a new parent. Why did this happen? How could it have been prevented? What can I do now? Call the Willis Law Firm today and speak to one of our talented and caring legal professionals, so we can advise you on how to best protect the interests of your child and family. Mr. Willis has nearly 30 years of legal experience and is a board certified Texas Personal Injury Trial lawyer with the highest peer review rating. Although located in Texas, the Willis Law Firm is accepting antidepressant birth defect cases in all fifty states on a contingency fee basis; you will be held responsible for no legal costs unless a recovery is obtained.