Hypoplastic left heart syndrome part of Zoloft lawsuit
Infants whose mothers took the antidepressant Zoloft may be at increased risk for heart defects and other health problems at birth. Studies have tied Zoloft use during pregnancy to health risks in infants born to the mothers who took it.
Heart defects are among the most prominent health problems found in these children. One heart defect that has been tied to Zoloft use is hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).
In infants with HLHS, the left side of the heart is very underdeveloped. Because of this, the right side of the heart must compensate by pumping blood to both the lungs and the rest of the body. The extra work puts pressure on the right side of the heart and can eventually cause it to fail.
In order to survive, babies with this condition normally require surgery to connect the left and right sides of the heart or to form other connections that can redistribute the heart’s workload.
Babies with HLHS may experience drowsiness, have difficultly breathing, and have cold hands and feet due to poor circulation. The lack of proper blood flow may also cause the baby’s skin to take on a bluish or grayish tint.
If you or a loved one took Zoloft during pregnancy and had a baby with a heart problem such as HLHS, contact us for a free evaluation of your case. Our attorneys are experienced in helping the victims of Zoloft-related birth defects seek compensation for their injuries.