Esophageal Atresia (EA) is a birth defect where the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat and stomach) forms two tubes instead of one. EA requires immediate surgical repair. There is evidence that links SSRIs, antidepressants, and other medications to esophageal birth defects, when mothers take these medications during pregnancy
Do I Have a Esophageal Atresia Lawsuit? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one has given birth to a child with a birth defect after taking an SSRI, antidepressant, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Symbyax, Zyban, or other medication during pregnancy, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Esophageal Atresia lawsuit.
What drugs have been linked to Esophageal Atresia?
If you are pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding, tell your doctor about the prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and dietary supplements you are taking. Do not start or stop any medication without first consulting a doctor — even if it is an antidepressant or SSRI. Depression is a serious illness. You doctor will tell you which medications are necessary and should be continued.
SSRIs / Antidepressant Drugs: Evidence is growing that mothers who take Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and antidepressants have a doubled risk of having a baby with a serious congenital heart defect. More and more mothers are filing lawsuits against these drug-makers.
SSRIs and antidepressants include the following prescription medications:
- Paxil, Seroxat (paroxetine)
- Zoloft, Lustral (sertraline)
- Celexa (citalopram)
- Lexapro, Cipralex (escitalopram)
- Symbyax (fluxetine and olanzapine)
- Wellbutrin, Zyban (bupropion)
- Effexor (vanlafaxine)
Clomid: Clomid is classified as a Category X drug by the FDA, meaning it is known to cause birth defects. Animals or humans have developed fetal abnormalities in clinical research and there is evidence to suggest human fetuses may be at risk. As a Category X drug, the risks may outweigh the potential benefits.
Esophageal Atresia Overview
Esophageal Atresia (EA) is a congenital birth defect that develops while the baby is in the womb. It is present at birth. It affects about one baby for every 3,000-5,000 live births. In babies born with this birth defect, the esophagus does not form properly.
Normally, the esophagus is a single long tube that connects the throat and stomach, and carries food and liquid to the stomach. With EA, however, the esophagus forms in two separate sections. In mild cases of EA, the distance between the two sections is small. In serious cases, there may be a very long gap between the sections, or the esophagus may be entirely absent.
Signs & Symptoms of Esophageal Atresia
EA is usually diagnosed when the baby is born, and has difficulty feeding. Food cannot reach the stomach, and as a result, the baby will choke, cough, and may vomit or turn blue. A serious complication can occur if the baby begins to vomit and then accidentally breaths fluid or food into the lungs. This can cause pneumonia in severe cases.
When the child has difficulty feeding, a physician will probably try to insert a feeding tube, unsuccessfully. The next step is performing a diagnostic imaging test, usually a chest X-ray, echocardiogram, or electrocardiogram.
Symptoms of EA after feeding:
- Frothy white bubbles in the mouth
- Coughing or choking when feeding
- Vomiting
- Blue color of the skin, especially when the baby is feeding
- Difficulty breathing
- Very round, full abdomen
Treatment & Prognosis
Esophageal Atresia (EA) always requires surgical repair to fix. The type of surgery will depend on the extent of the birth defect — if the missing section of the esophagus is short, the two ends may simply be connected. If the missing section is long, a more complex surgery is necessary. The child will be admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and a gastric tube will be inserted directly into the stomach so the baby can be fed until the esophagus can be repaired.
The most common long-term complication of EA is peristalsis, in which the child has an impaired ability to swallow. This complication is usually seen in children who have long-gap EA. In addition to having grafted tissue in the esophagus, they often have scars that remain after reconstructive surgery, which may narrow the esophagus and partially block food as it travels to the stomach.
Due to advances in modern medicine, EA is not usually life-threatening, because it is quickly detected and the surgeries have a high success rate.
Do I Have a Esophageal Atresia Lawsuit?
For a free consultation, please contact Collen A. Clark at The Clark Firm, LLP immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Esophageal Atresia lawsuit.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more that 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $60 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact us for a free Esophageal Atresia birth defect lawsuit review.