Research has drawn a link between certain heart defects in infants and use of the drug Zoloft by their mothers during pregnancy. One of these heart defects is transposition of the great arteries (TGA).
In babies with this condition, the heart’s two major vessels – the pulmonary artery and the aorta – are transposed, or switched. The affects the way blood circulates through the baby’s body and results in a lack of oxygen in the baby’s bloodstream. This oxygen-depleted blood flows to the rest of the baby’s body, causing difficulty in normal functioning.
Symptoms of TGA include low appetite, shortness of breath, and low weight gain. Babies with TGA sometimes have blue-tinted skin, referred to as cyanosis, because of the lack of oxygen flowing through their bodies.
Babies with TGA have a generally positive prognosis but require special treatment. Surgery is normally necessary to restore normal functioning of the body. Without treatment, TGA could eventually lead to more serious damage in the baby’s heart or lungs.
If you believe your infant’s heart defect or other birth defect may have been caused by Zoloft use during pregnancy, act now. Contact us today to see if you are eligible to participate in a lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer. Our attorneys will help you seek the compensation you and your child deserve.