Paxil has been approved as an antidepressant for adults over the age of 18 by the United States Food and Drug Administration since late 1992.Ever since its FDA approval Paxil has been one of the most prescribed drugs for its attended use. Recently however studies have shown that Paxil has the potential cause Paxil birth defects which have given rise to Paxil concerns.

One of the most common Paxil Birth Defects that has been seen to be potentially caused by Paxil is Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate A cleft lip is a physical split or separation of the two sides of the upper lip and appears as a narrow opening or gap in the skin of the upper lip. This separation often extends beyond the base of the nose and includes the bones of the upper jaw and/or upper gum. A cleft palate can be defined as a split or opening in the roof of the mouth. A cleft palate can involve the hard palate (the bony front portion of the roof of the mouth), and/or the soft palate (the soft back portion of the roof of the mouth).

If a child is born with either a cleft lip or palate he or she can face several challenges. The first problem would have to do with feeding, since normally the palate prevents food and liquids from entering the nose. A newborn whose cleft palate is still not repaired will have difficulty sucking on a regular nipple and will usually require a special nipple and bottle along with proper positioning in order to feed. With these techniques, the caregiver will learn how to feed the baby before taking the baby home from the hospital.

Another potential problem that your child may face are dental problems. These problems include: small teeth, missing teeth, extra teeth (called supernumerary), or malpositioned teeth. They may have a defect in the gums or alveolar ridge (the bone that supports the teeth). If there is a defect that is found hear the alveolar ridge can displace, tip, or rotate permanent teeth, or prevent permanent teeth from coming in properly.

Some of the potential Paxil Birth Defects that Paxil has been known to cause include cleft palate and cleft lip. If you are about to start using Paxil for your signs and symptoms of depression, consult with your doctor first.