Antidepressant exposure in utero may affect neonatal outcomes

January 01, 0001

Antidepressant exposure in utero may affect neonatal outcomes

The aim of this study was to examine whether neonatal outcomes including gestational age at birth, neonatal growth outcomes at birth and then at 1 month postpartum were altered by in utero exposure to antidepressant medication using a prospective and controlled design. A prospective case control study recruited 27 pregnant women taking antidepressant medication and 27 matched controls who were not taking antidepressant medication in pregnancy at an obstetric hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Of the 27 women taking medication, 25 remained on medication in the third trimester. A purpose-designed self-report questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory-II were completed in pregnancy, after birth and at one month postpartum. In addition information was collected on exposed and non-exposed infants including Apgar scores, birthweight/length/head circumference and gestational age at birth. Weight/length/head circumference was again collected at 1 month of age.

Infants exposed to antidepressants in utero were eightfold more likely to be born at a premature gestational age, had significantly lower birthweight and were smaller in length and head circumference than non-exposed infants. There was no association between birth outcomes and maternal depression. At 1 month, the difference in weight in the exposed group became significantly greater than the control group.

The researchers concluded: "Antidepressant exposure in utero may affect gestational age at birth and neonatal outcomes independently of antenatal maternal depression. Further studies are needed to examine whether these findings vary according to the type of antidepressant prescribed and follow up growth and development in exposed infants beyond 1 month."

Yes, much more information would be helpful, including the effect on maternal depression.


For the full abstract, click here.

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 44( 5):482-487, May 2010
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Neonatal growth outcomes at birth and one month postpartum following in utero exposure to antidepressant medication. Andrew J. Lewis, Megan Galbally, Gillian Opie and Anne Buist. Correspondence to Megan Galbally: [email protected]

Category: P. Psychological, W. Pregnancy/Childbirth/Family Planning. Keywords: neonatal, growth, birth, outcomes, postpartum, in utero, exposure, antidepressant, prospective case control study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 28 May 2010

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