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Recent studies have highlighted the link between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant drugs and severe heart, lung facial and skeletal birth defects in infants of mothers who took the drugs.

Many mothers, however, are not sure if their child’s condition may have been caused by the SSRI drug they took. More information is now available on the risks of Zoloft birth defects and Zoloft heart defects.

Zoloft lawyers are now filing Zoloft birth defect lawsuits on behalf of those injured by the severe side effects of the drug. It is important to speak with a qualified lawyer as soon as possible to learn about your legal options to protect your child.

Studies have now shown a link between SSRI drugs like Zoloft and heart defects such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). HLHS is a condition that develops before or during birth characterized by a failure of the left side of the heart to completely develop.

Zoloft hypoplastic left heart syndrome is caused when the left portion of the heart including the left ventricle, mitral valve, aorta and aortic valve fail to fully develop in an infant. This leads to problems with the heart’s ability to adequately supply blood and oxygen to the body.

The symptoms of HLHS in children can include a bluish tone to the skin (cyanosis), ecstatic heart beat, rapid or irregular breathing, shortness of breath, weak pulse and cold hands or feet.

Zoloft heart defects like HLHS can take several major surgeries to fix which cause significant complications to the lives of young children and cause immeasurable suffering to families trying to care for them.

In addition, the medical expenses associated with complicated heart procedures can be substantial. If the condition was caused by the mother taking an SSRI medication during pregnancy, the family may be entitled to significant damages from the company at fault.

Legal experts believe that the companies who manufacture popular SSRI antidepressant drugs may have known that their products raised the risks of severe birth defects such as HLHS but did not provide sufficient warnings to patients.

If you took an SSRI drug like Paxil, Zoloft or Prozac and gave birth to a child with birth defects, it is important that you speak with a qualified Zoloft lawyer today to learn whether you can file a Zoloft lawsuit to help with the medical bills, other damages and your child’s pain and suffering.