Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
- Anal Atresia
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Club Foot
- Coarctation Of The Aorta
- Craniosynostosis
- Heart Valve Defect
- Omphalocele
- Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension
- Pulmonary Atresia
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Spina Bifida
- Tetralogy Of Fallot
- Transposition Of The Great Arteries
- Ventricular Septal Defect
Birth Defects
The heart has four chambers, two atria and two ventricles. Separating the atria and the ventricles is a wall composed of tissue. The wall allows each chamber to perform its individual function. When a baby is born, a small hole between the two atria is very common. The hole closes in the baby’s first few weeks of life.
A hole between the two ventricles, however, is not normal. Called a ventricular septal defect (VSD), this heart malformation accounts for 20 to 30 percent of infant heart defects. Between 0.1 and 0.4 percent of babies are born with a ventricular septal defect.
When the hole is small it usually closes on its own. If large however, this hole may need to be closed surgically. The surgery usually is delayed to wait and see if the hole will eventually close by itself.
VSD Symptoms and Diagnosis
The following symptoms may indicate a baby has a ventricular septal defect:
- An unusual type of heart murmur: Sometimes the pediatric cardiologist won’t hear this kind of murmur in the newborn. By the end of the first week, the sounds of the heart murmur usually become evident.
- Failure to thrive: When the heart is not effectively pumping blood around the body, it interferes with the nourishment of the tissues and organs. The infant does not gain weight. This also leads to congestive heart failure.
Other symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Hard breathing
- Lack of interest in food
- Paleness
- Rapid breathing
- Sweating
Tests to diagnose ventricular septal defect include:
- Electrocardiogram measures the heart’s electrical activity and may detect abnormalities in the rhythm of the heartbeats. Many heart conditions may be diagnosed this way.
- Chest X-ray allows the doctor to see the heart and lungs.
- Echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce an image of the heart. It shows the chambers of the heart and its pumping action. It also shows how much blood is being pumped to the lungs.
Causes of Ventricular Septal Defects
Sometimes the causes of ventricular defects are genetic, such as when pieces of a chromosome are missing or lacking. But no one knows exactly what causes a ventricular septal defect. Most likely, something interferes with the normal development of the heart early in a woman’s pregnancy. The reasons, besides being genetic, may also be environmental. Often a ventricular septal defect occurs when other heart defects are present.
SSRI Antidepressants and Heart Defects
SSRIs are a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. They have proven to be especially successful in treating depression. But, when taken during the first weeks of pregnancy at a critical time in the formation of the fetal heart, there may be a link between congenital heart defects and this type of antidepressant.
Popular SSRIs include:
- Lexapro® (escitalopram)
- Celexa® (citalopram)
- Zoloft® (sertraline)
- Paxil® (paroxetine)
- Prozac® (fluoxetine)
Contact a Birth Defect Attorney
If your baby was born with a heart defect and you took an SSRI antidepressant during your pregnancy, there might be a connection between the two. To see if you have a legitimate reason to file a lawsuit against the drug company that manufactured your antidepressant, contact a birth defect lawyer at the Flood Law Group today. One of our birth defect attorneys will review your case for free to determine if you have a legitimate claim.
To learn more, contact us today.
