Here is some updated information on the topic of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the newborn baby. Not only must pregnant women be concerned with possible heart defects in the baby, but also we are learning that PPHN is a potentially fatal lung condition. It occurs shortly after birth. A baby with PPHN cannot take enough oxygen into the bloodstream because high pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs blocks it. While many of ours posts are related to the first trimester of pregnancy, there is now information about the risks in taking Paxil in the second trimester and it relates to PPHN. As you know from a past post, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study (Feb 9, 2006), that found that taking SSRI antidepressants, including Paxil, after 20 weeks of pregnancy increases the risk of the baby being born with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN). The direct link is http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/354/6/579

It is good that this second-trimester concern about PPHN is drawing attention. Previously, there were reports that late-term exposure to SSRIs can result in withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, difficulty feeding, and difficulty breathing for the mothers of the infants. http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/SSRI_PPHN200607.htm As you know, we recommend seeking additional information about possible PPHN in newborn babies of mothers who took SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy.