Fear of Zoloft – Autism Connection Increasing Among Pregnant Women

According to an article recently published in the Boston Globe, there is increasing concern among pregnant women about the possible connection between taking Zoloft during pregnancy, and giving birth to a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Many pregnant women have begun doing their homework about antidepressant use during pregnancy, and they don’t like what they are finding.

A study published last month in the Archives of General Psychiatry conducted by researchers at Kaiser Permanente suggests that pregnant women who take Zoloft or another selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) can increase their chances of having a child with autism. The study was conducted in conjunction with another study  that shows that environmental factors put children at greater risk for developing autism than originally thought.

Should Pregnant Women Take Antidepressants While Pregnant?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has increased its warnings about antidepressant use while pregnant, advising consumers that studies have shown that harm could come to the fetuses of mothers who take them. There are already links to severe birth defects that can affect children born to women who took antidepressants prior to and during the early stages of pregnancy. The link to autism is still relatively unclear at the moment, but there are definite concerns being voiced on the Internet by women who have been prescribed antidepressants while pregnant. Dr. Lori Wroble, the chief obstetrician for Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates at Newton Wellesley Hospital says, “In pregnancy in general, we tend to be afraid of all medication. And I think it’s actually scarier when you don’t have enough studies, because it’s an open-ended question [whether or not pregnant women should take antidepressants] that you’ll always wonder about.”

How Many Women Are Prescribed Antidepressants During Pregnancy?

A 2009 study conducted by the American Psychiatric Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists showed that between 14 and 23 percent of women experience some type of depression symptoms while pregnant. If depression is left untreated during pregnancy, the mother runs the risk of delivering her child prematurely, along with poor fetal development and mother-infant bonding. Anxiety and depression during pregnancy can affect the mother’s as well as the unborn child’s health, but the risks and benefits of taking an antidepressant such as Zoloft must be weighed with medical professionals.

What to Do if the Worst Happens

Autism is still considered a rare disorder, but there is so much information out there about the potential of giving birth to a child with an autism spectrum disorder, that many women are quite concerned. If you were prescribed Zoloft during pregnancy, took the medication as directed, and gave birth to a child with difficulties you feel are a result of having taken an antidepressant, you have rights as a consumer. The Rottenstein Law Group’s Zoloft lawyers have over 25 years of experience advocating for individuals in consumer product injury and mass tort cases. They can help obtain compensation for pain and suffering and unforeseen medical costs.

If you feel you have a zoloft birth defects lawsuit the attorneys at the Rottenstein Law Group can help. For a free consultation with an RLG attorney please fill out this brief contact form.