PAXIL AND THE POSSIBLE LINK TO OMPHALOCELE The U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health define Omphalocele as a birth defect in which the infant’s intestine or other abdominal organs stick out of the belly button. In babies with Omphalocele, the intestines can be easily seen. If you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant and you use Paxil, Omphalocele is a birth defect you should be aware of. A recent study from GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of Paxil (a study the pharmaceutical company was asked to conduct at the request of the Federal Drug Administration), Omphalocele was found to be a side effect of using the antidepressant. The results of the study caused GlaxoSmithKline to send a letter to health professionals in September 2005. That letter, in essence, said that of the women who used antidepressants during pregnancy, Paxil accounted for 36-percent of all infants born with Omphalocele. CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH OMPHALOCELE An Omphalocele develops inside the mother’s womb as the baby grows. Internal organs growing outside the baby’s abdominal cavity is normal up to the 10th week. If the problem continues after that the baby is diagnosed with an Omphalocele. Simply put, the intestine remains outside the umbilical cord. Other risk factors include: - genetic problems
- congenital diaphragmatic hernia (a very dangerous side effect that can lead to underdeveloped lungs)
- heart defects
Nearly 25-percent of all babies born with an Omphalocele are born with or develop other birth defects. SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT Omphaloceles can be clearly seen with prenatal ultrasounds before birth. The condition is repaired with surgery after birth. However, if there are additional problems, such as heart defects, that problem has to be dealt with first. EXPECTATIONS AND COMPLICATIONS In most cases, patients can expect a full recovery after surgery. However, other birth defects are common with Omphaloceles. If the mother’s baby is diagnosed with an Omphalocele, her pregnancy should be monitored very closely. Preparations should be made well in advance at a hospital experienced with dealing with this issue. Prenatal screening for other birth defects should be considered. Complications associated with Omphaloceles: • Intestinal infections • Death of intestinal tissue SHOULD YOU STOP USING PAXIL With the threat of Omphalocele and other genetic defects such a huge factor in using Paxil during the first trimester of pregnancy, the question becomes, “Should you take yourself off the drug?� That’s a question that you should discuss with your physician. You should take into account however that studies have found that the use of other antidepressants do not present the same risk factors that Paxil does. According to GlaxoSmithKline, Paxil is responsible for 36-percent of all fetus exposures that transformed into Omphalocele and other birth defects.Author Name::Robert McKay
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