Alwan and colleagues, in their analyses of data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (1997-2001), reported an association between the use of SSRIs during pregnancy and craniosynostosis. Analysis of the data revealed an Odds Ratio (OR) of 1.8 which suggests an 80% increase in the risk of having a baby with craniosynostosis for women who used SSRIs during pregnancy.

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 Prozac® during pregnancy carries an almost 3-times greater risk of craniosynostosis (Odds Ratio 2.8).

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.

Name: Email: Phone: Date Taken:  Also, please consider filling out our case evaluation form

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