Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)

In The New England Journal of Medicine a medical study regarding antidepressants concluded including Paxil were linked to an increased risk of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). This medical study showed that PPHN was six (6)times more likely in infants whose mothers took an SSRI antidepressant during pregnancy compared to babies whose mothers did not take an antidepressant and of all the antidepressants, Paxil was the worst at causing Neonatal Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN). After this study was released, a Public Health Advisory warning was issued by the FDA stating that Paxil use during pregnancy posed a serious risk to the fetus to birth defects and was linked to an increased risk of PPHN. [See: FDA Alert: Paxil and PPHN]

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension - PPHN

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn is a cardiopulmonary disorder characterized by systemic arterial hypoxemia secondary to elevated pulmonary vascular resistance with resultant shunting of pulmonary blood flow to the systemic circulation. This pathophysiologic syndrome has been variously described as:

• Persistent pulmonary vascular obstruction
• Persistent fetal circulation
• Pulmonary vasospasm
• Neonatal pulmonary ischemia
• Persistent transitional circulation

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is the result of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance to the point that venous blood is diverted to some degree through fetal channels (i. e. the ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale) into the systemic circulation and bypassing the lungs, resulting in systemic arterial hypoxemia. This disorder can be classified into three forms dependent on the likely etiology of the pulmonary hypertension:

• PPHN associated with pulmonary parenchymal disease, such as hyaline membrane disease, meconium aspiration, or transient tachypnea of the newborn as the cause of alveolar hypoxia known as secondary PPHN or appropriate PPHN alveolar oxygen tension appears to be the major determinant of pulmonary artery vasoconstriction.
• PPHN with radiographically normal lungs and no evidence of parenchymal disease frequently called Persistent Fetal Circulation (PFC), or primary or inappropriate PPHN
• PPHN associated with hypoplasia of the lungs most often in the form of diaphragmatic hernia associated with an anatomic reduction in capillary number.

PPHN in a Newborn

Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) of the newborn in a pathophysiologic syndrome that results when the pulmonary vascular resistance fails to decrease after birth, despite improved alveolar oxygenation and lung expansion. Although systemic vascular resistance has increased (with the loss of the placenta), pulmonary vascular resistance remains equal to or greater than systemic vascular resistance. This results in blood continuing to flow through the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus. Subsequently, with the loss of placental gas exchange and the inability to increase pulmonary blood flow, arterial oxygen tension falls to very low levels. If this situation is not reversed, the infant may die of severe hypoxemia.

Since both the pulmonary and systemic resistances are high, a large mechanical load is placed on the heart (especially the right heart) to continue to pump blood to either vascular bed. With high vascular resistance and the subsequent hypoxemia, myocardial performance may become extremely compromised resulting in right heart dilation, tricuspid insufficiency, and right heart failure.

Paxil PPHN & Birth Defects Lawsuit

If your child have been diagnosed with Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) and the child's mother was on Paxil or any of popular SSRI antidepressant during pregnancy, then call the Willis Law Firm to discuss your legal options regarding a potential product liability lawsuit against the makers of Paxil and/or other antidepressants. If your child's birth defects or PPHN can be linked to the mother's use of Paxil during pregnancy, then you may be entitled to file a Paxil lawsuit for you and your child for pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish, medical bills and other legal remedies and damages under the law. 

Our evaluation and initial consultation is completely free of charge. Contact our law firm today. Call to talk to a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer about a potential Paxil Lawsuit. Free Initial Case Evaluation. All cases taken on a Contingency Fee Basis !

Call 1-800-883-9858 or fill out our Paxil PPHN Lawsuit Evaluation Form