SSRIs and Omphalocele
Omphalocele is a congenital birth defect in which a baby’s abdominal organs (intestine, liver, etc.) and related anatomical structures protrude outwardly from the base of the umbilical chord. Imaging studies often reveals the condition in utero and treatment is usually surgical repair immediately or shortly after birth.
Data set forth in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, reported by Alwan and colleagues in 2005, indicated that women who took an SSRI during pregnancy were more likely to have a baby with omphalocele than those mothers who did not take an SSRI during pregnancy. The study reviewed data that was obtained from records detailing the birth of infants between 1997 and 2001.
Data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study revealed a tripling of the risk for omphalocele (Odds Ratio (OR) of 3.0) for all SSRIs. The risk was even greater for women who took Paxil® during pregnancy. Paxil® accounted for 36% of all the exposures to SSRIs and the data revealed an Odds Ratio (OR) of 6.3, suggesting a risk for omphalocele that is over 6 times greater for women who used Paxil® 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 Celexa® 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 carries an 8 times greater risk of omphalocele (Odds Ratio 8.1)
A second study published in the same issue of NEJM, entitled First-Trimester Use of Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors and the Risk of Birth Defects (Louik et. al) suggests that the use of Zoloft® during the first trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of omphalocele almost six-fold (Odds Ratio 5.7) and almost doubles the risk of craniosynostosis (Odds Ratio 1.8).
If you or someone you know took Paxil® or another SSRI during pregnancy and delivered a baby with Omphalocele, please contact us using the following simple contact form or click HERE to submit a more detailed inquiry to us.
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