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GENERAL INFORMATION |
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| What is Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns
(PPHN): Concise Definition |
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| Persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns
(PPHN) is a rare, life-threatening disease that has been linked to
the use of anti-depressant medications during
pregnancy. |
| In
the fetus, the placenta supplied with blood by the umbilical
vein provides for gas and metabolite exchange. As the lungs are
not needed for gas exchange, the vessels in the pulmonary circulation are vasoconstricted. The cardiovascular structures required
by the fetus for maintaining this parallel circulation are the
ductus venosus [in the inferior vena cava], foramen ovale [between
the right and left atria] and ductus arteriosus [in the ascending
aorta.] |
| At birth, the mechanical expansion of the
lungs and an increase in arterial oxygen results in a rapid decrease
in pulmonary vascular resistance [the lungs are no longer as vasoconstricted.]
The blood from the right ventricle now flows entirely into the pulmonary
circuit to be oxygenated and, because the pulmonary pressure is lower
than the systemic pressure, the ductus arteriosus reverses, becoming
left to right, eventually closing. |
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| The removal of the placenta
from the circulation, results in the closure of the
ductus venosus, by removing this low pressure
system. The increased volume of pulmonary flow returning
to the left atrium increases left atrial volume. This
increase of pressure, along with the effects of low
oxygen tension is sufficient to close the
foramen ovale. |
| In
some cases, however, high pulmonary pressures remain;
and these elevated
pressures keep the foramen ovale and or the ductus arterosis
open, causing poor pulmonary blood flow and desaturated blood
[blood that has not been oxygenated] to return to the systemic
circulation. This condition is known as Persistent Pulmonary
Hypertension in Newborns (PPHN). It can lead to respiratory failure of the baby. |
| Despite treatment, 10 to
20 percent of newborns with persistent pulmonary
hypertension of the newborn will not survive. |
| Parents of a baby with pulmonary hypertension or heart defects may be eligible to file a claim against the manufacturer of any drugs for depression prescribed during pregnancy for failing to adequately disclose the risk of adverse side effects. |
| Please click
here to contact an attorney at Lieff
Cabraser to discuss your legal rights at
no cost or obligation. We will handle
all inquiries with the strictest confidentiality
and sensitivity. Alternatively, you may call
us toll-free at 1-800-541-7358 and ask to
speak to attorney Heather Foster. |
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List of Antidepressant Drugs |
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| The
FDA lists the following antidepressant
drugs known as SSRIs (selective serotonin
re-uptake inhibitors) or as Combination
Drugs containing an SSRI: |
- Celexa (citalopram)
- Fluvoxamine
- Lexapro (escitalopram)
- Paxil (paroxetine)
- Prozac (fluoxetine)
- Symbyax (olanzapine / fluoxetine)
- Zoloft (sertraline)
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| Founded in 1972, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein,
LLP is an over fifty attorney
law firm with offices in San Francisco, New York and Nashville. For the last five years,
the National Law Journal has recognized Lieff Cabraser
as one of the top 20 plaintiffs’ law firms in America. |
| For our personal injury cases, we bring a team of experienced
lawyers. Each client is assigned an individual lawyer. In addition, we have
on staff multiple nurses, legal assistants, scientific analysts and case
clerks to assist the attorneys. To learn more about our firm, click
here. |
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Notice: Personal Injury Lawyer America is an electronic newsletter
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injury and wrongful
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About Lieff Cabraser: We have
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Among the cases our personal injury
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| Copyright © 2008 Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP |
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