Lexapro and Birth Injuries
Of the 30 million Americans across the United States who take antidepressants, many are expectant mothers. However, pregnant mothers are burdened with some of the worst risks due to these drugs. Medical researchers have linked serious birth defects to anxiety and depression medications like Lexapro. Whenever possible, it is important to avoid a potential birth injury to your child. Though these may seem obvious, it is still important to reiterate. Like cerebral palsy, some of these can even come with a lifetime of disabilities and financial costs.
Antidepressants: Common Cause of Birth Defects
Unfortunately, many of the antidepressants prescribed have links with birth defects. Based on information from the CDC, one in 10 Americans uses antidepressants. Additionally, antidepressant use is more common in women than in men. Antidepressants like Lexapro can be useful for individuals who suffer from anxiety and depression, but you must be aware of some of the dangers these medications can pose.
What Dangers Does It Pose to Your Child?
There are a few dangers that Lexapro poses to your child, which is why you have to stay vigilant. Some of the risks associated with it include:
- Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of a Newborn
- Anencephaly
- Club foot
- Cleft lip and palate
- Spina bifida
- Heart defects
- Poor feeding
- High-pitched crying
- Autism
- Cognitive disorders
These are some of the dangers that you can face when you take Lexapro while pregnant. Birth disorders can lead to a lifetime of costs. You may want to seek financial help in these situations and talk with a legal professional who can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve. That can help you pay for the medical costs incurred due to no fault of your own.
Be Cautious of Breastfeeding Your Child
Let’s say that you take Lexapro or any antidepressant for that matter. It would be best to exercise extreme caution because trace amounts of the drug can find their way into breastmilk. This can cause sleepiness or weight loss in your child. Luckily, there are no recorded cases in which a child had cognitive impairment due to the mother taking Lexapro. But, there are still plenty of reasons to exercise caution. You don’t want your child to suffer a birth injury that could cause them to suffer for the rest of their life.
Who can you hold liable for a birth disorder if it comes from using this drug without knowing the consequences? First and foremost, health professionals have a legal obligation to warn you about the risks of taking Lexapro while pregnant. They can’t always be held liable. However, if they fail to give you advanced warning of the potential side effects of taking the drug while pregnant, they can be at fault. Thus, you can hold them liable in the court of law. You could even hold Forest Laboratories, which produces Lexapro, responsible for its aggressive sales tactics because they also have an obligation to consumers.