A Glimpse On Pregnancy And Paxil-Related Birth Defect

Pregnancy is a gestational process which encompasses the growth and development of an offspring from conception to birth. It lasts for about 266 days/38 weeks from day of fertilization, but clinically considered to last 280 days/ 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual cycle. The period is conventionally divided into three trimesters, each approximately three months long. To guarantee a healthy mother and baby, all throughout pregnancy the condition of the two separate individuals is constantly monitored. Overall health of the mother as well as the drugs taken during pregnancy greatly affects the health of the baby and may cause some birth defects like Paxil Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension.

A study focused on the side effects of SSRI medications showed that infants who were exposed to the drug is 6 times likely to develop PPHN than those who were not exposed to it. When the normal circulatory system of the newborn fell short on adapting to the breathing outside the womb, persistent pulmonary hypertension occurs. Usual manifestation includes respiratory distress, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, cyanosis, low oxygen level and heart murmurs. This is a rare but life-threatening condition and is most often seen in term or near-term neonates.

Women who were taking SSRI like Paxil during the 3^rd trimester of pregnancy, as what the study of New England Journal of Medicine concluded, are at a greater risk of having a baby with PPHN than those who weren’t taking any medication. Moreover, pregnant women who had Paxil during pregnancy are allegedly 1 ½ to 2 times more likely to give birth to a child with life-threatening heart malformations. With these, the FDA has released a public health advisory warning the health care providers about the increased risk of developing birth defects on newborns exposed to Paxil during pregnancy. To emphasize a stronger warning about its intake during pregnancy, Paxil is now placed on pregnancy category D from category C.

Reports on Paxil PPHN and other congenital anomalies have been made. Prescribing of Paroxetine-containing drug like Paxil is done only after other treatment options have been tried and failed, as what the FDA advised. It is imperative that women prescribed with Paxil while pregnant identifies the possible effects of the drug as well as its actions. This must first be discussed between the woman and her health care provider.