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Prozac®
Paxil®
Zoloft®
Celexa®
Cipralex®
Luvox®
Remeron®
Effexor® |
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Anencephaly
Anencephaly is a birth defect that occurs when the neural tube fails to close properly during fetal development. The neural tube is a narrow channel that folds and closes between the 3rd and 4th weeks of pregnancy. The neural tube forms the brain and spinal cord of the embryo. Anencephaly usually results in the absence of a major portion of the brain (cerebrum and frontal brain), skull (top portion), and scalp.
A study published in the June 28, 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) indicates that maternal use of SSRIs during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of ompahlocele, craniosynostosis and anencephaly. This study (Use of Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors in Pregnancy and the Risk of Birth Defects, Alwan et. al.) suggests that the risk of these birth defects is almost tripled (Odds Ratio 2.8) when SSRIs are used during pregnancy. The Study further indicates that the risk of these birth defects is:
- 4.2 times greater with the use of Paxil® during pregnancy
- 4.0 times greater with the use of citralopram during pregnancy
- 2.0 times greater with the use of Zoloft® during pregnancy, and
- 1.9 times greater with the use of Prozac® during pregnancy.
Further analyses of the data by the authors of the Study indicate that the maternal use of Paxil® during pregnancy increases the risk of anencephaly by more than five times (Odds Ratio 5.1) and that the materal use Zoloft® during pregnancy more than triples the risk of anencephaly (Odds Ratio 3.2).
If you or someone you know took Paxil® or another SSRI during pregnancy and delivered a baby with craniosynostosis, please contact us using the following simple contact form or click HERE to submit a more detailed inquiry to us.
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