About PPHN of the Newborn

The PPHN attorneys at SimmonsCooper are dedicated to helping families who have infants with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN), sometimes called "Persistent Fetal Circulation." 

PPHN is sometimes the result of antidepressants being taken during pregnancy. PPHN is a very rare, but life-threatening condition. These antidepressants include: Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa, Cipralex, Effexor, Luvox, and Remeron.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) occurs immediately at birth when a baby is born and takes its first breaths, the blood pressure in their lungs falls and there is an increased blood flow to the lungs, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. The blood is then returned to the heart and pumped back out to the body. The ductus arteriosus constricts and permanently closes in the first day of life. However, in babies with PPHN, the pressure in the lungs remains high and the ductus arterious remains open, allowing blood to be directed away from the lungs.

Newborns who have PPHN are typically full-term or near-term infants who are born without associated congenital abnormalities, yet present after birth with severe respiratory failure.

We are extremely concerned about the association between certain SSRI-antidepressants and PPHN. On July 19, 2006 the FDA issued a public health warning and urged the manufacturers of certain SSRI-antidepressants to change their prescribing information to describe the potential risk of PPHN.

If you took an SSRI during the third trimester of pregnancy, and your newborn had respiratory complications during his or her first minutes of life, we would like to speak with you. We are investigating the link between SSRIs and PPHN and whether drug manufacturers hid the dangers of the popular medications.

Please contact us today.