The Zoloft® and craniosynostosis link

The drug Zoloft® has been shown to cause significant cranial abnormalities, namely craniosynostosis. Craniosynostosis can also be confused with Pfeiffer Syndrome, which is a genetic disorder that has similar symptoms.

Craniosynostosis is a defect that causes one (or more) of the sutures in the baby's skull to fuse earlier than expected. This leads to a head that is abnormal in shape because it fused way to early by ossification. In most cases the brain will have sufficient space to grow normally, but the facial structure will be a little distorted. This results in a baby growing with an abnormal facial shape. Some parents may choose to fit their babies with a plagiocephaly helmet in order to "contain" the head.

When there isn't sufficient space for the brain to grow normally you get what is known as intracranial pressure, which can lead to visual impairment or slow mental development (and also a lower IQ).

Mothers who take Zoloft® are twice as likely to give birth to children with craniosynostosis. Due to the fact that the majority of mothers are totally unaware of the severe side effects that this drug, and possibly other anti-depressants, may have on an unborn child, it is possible to get compensation thanks to a Zoloft lawsuit.

Learn about other defects such as spina bifida & tricuspid valve stenosis.