Atrial Septal Defect

One of the most common types of Paxil birth defects is Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). This is sometimes referred to as a hole in the heart and is a typical congenital heart defect in which there is an abnormal opening in the wall between the right atrium and the left atrium.

When blood circulates in the body, it enters the heart though the right atrium and passes through to the right ventricle and flows out through the pulmonary artery to the lungs where it picks up oxygen and gets rid of carbon dioxide. From the lungs, blood returns to the left atrium and then enters the left ventricle where it is pumped to the body through the aorta.

When ASD is present, there is a hole between the right atrium and the left atrium. This allows some of the blood in the left atrium to pass through the abnormal hole and back into the right side of the heart instead of out through the aorta. If the Atrial Septal Defect is large, the right side of the heart and lungs can become overfilled with blood, which can cause problems over time and, if serious, lead to oxygen deprivation of vital organs.

Legal Options

If you were on Paxil during your pregnancy and your child suffered from a heart condition, it is imperative that you speak with an attorney immediately to protect you interests. A Paxil Patient Advocate is available to speak with you anytime to find out more about your case. Call 1-800-554-4109 for more information.