Zoloft Looms Over Congenital Defects
One of the most recommended drug for major depression, Zoloft, belongs to the type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. To ensure its effectiveness and prevent hazards, strict adherence to the regimen needs to be followed. Furthermore, this drug is greatly influenced by other substance, for example, drinking Zoloft and alcohol may cause a wide range of health problems.
The success of this drug, however, might be put to a stall as recent reports that Zoloft may cause several birth defects are piling up. It was found in a study issued in the New England Journal of Medicine that women who are taking Zoloft in the early part of their pregnancy have twice the risk of giving to birth to a baby with cardiac defects. Though, this may just be a part of the entire.
Currently, medical professionals are trying to find the connection between Zoloft and these side effects:
A club foot is a congenital deformity where one foot or both are internally rotated to the ankle. It is probably the most common birth defect involving the legs whose condition might be mild or severe. Management of the problem may involve moving the foot into the correct position and applying a cast which is necessary to maximize the function of foot.
Cleft lip or palate is a fissure or an opening on the upper lip or the roof of the mouth(palate). Nonetheless, this can be repaired through a surgery which can be done when the child is still 3 months of age.
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) is a life-threatening disorder in which the newborn’s arteries to the lungs remain constricted after birth, limiting the amount of blood flow to the lungs and therefore the amount of oxygen into the bloodstream. Care of the newborn with PPHN must be meticulous involving a continuous monitoring of oxygenation, blood pressure and perfusion. It involves the administration of inotropic drugs like dopamine and dobutamine as well as surfactants and mechanical ventilation.
There are many cardiac defects linked to Zoloft intake ranging from minor anomaly to grave consequences. They may cause the heart not to function properly which may result in developmental problems of the child or even death. Oftentimes, surgery is needed to correct the problem but some minor defects heal by themselves.
Brain or spinal cord defects occur when the neural tube, precursor of the central nervous system, fail to properly close. The surgery itself can treat the physical aspect of the child but the impact on its distortion to the nerve functions may mean enduring a permanent physical and emotional suffering to the child.
Birth defects are serious matters thus if you found out that you are pregnant or you are planning to have a child, inform your doctor before starting your Zoloft therapy. No one would want your child to sustain potentially lifelong agonies.
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