cardiovascular defects - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Essential Reads: Bupropion (Wellbutrin) and Risk for Major Malformations

Bupropion is commonly used to treat depression, and is also prescribed to support smoking cessation. Early data on bupropion-exposure during pregnancy raised concern for a possible increase in risk of malformations of the heart and large blood vessels in bupropion-exposed infants. Subsequent data from bupropion pregnancy registries has been reassuring, however, and do not demonstrate an overall increase in risk of cardiac defects following first trimester bupropion exposure. Although the overall risk of cardiac defects was not increased, the distribution of specific defects in these registries was unexpected in some ways. For example, the GlaxoSmithKline Bupropion Pregnancy Registry included two cases of coarctation of the aorta out of the 675 bupropion-exposed infants, compared to the rate of 6 cases per 10,000 births in the general population.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2021-10-27T20:42:23-04:00April 15th, 2021|Antidepressants, Essential Reads, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

Antidepressants and Pregnancy: Are Some SSRIs Safer Than Others?

Over the last decade, numerous studies on the reproductive safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been published. However, these studies, using different methodologies and studying different populations, have often yielded conflicting results. [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-11-26T08:39:16-04:00July 10th, 2015|Antidepressants, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Antenatal Use of SSRIs and QT Interval Prolongation in Newborns

Over the last several years, a number of studies have indicated that exposure to antidepressants near the time of delivery may be associated with poor neonatal outcomes. A recent prospective study from Dubnov-Raz and colleagues published in the journal Pediatrics found an association between QTc interval prolongation in neonates and antenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. The QT interval is a measurement of the heart's electrical cycle from ventricular depolarization to the end of ventricular polarization. It is determined from an electrocardiogram (ECG) and is corrected for heart rate.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:14:31-04:00March 24th, 2009|Antidepressants, Neonatal Symptoms, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Using New Research to Inform Treatment Decisions during Pregnancy: A Case Report

As more research is conducted within the field of women's mental health, there are times when recommendations may change depending on the available data. We will discuss a case here to illustrate this point.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:09:25-04:00March 17th, 2009|Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Disorders, Medication, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

New Study Does Not Find Link Between Paroxetine and Cardiovascular Defects

In 2006, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) elected to change product label warnings for the antidepressant paroxetine (Paxil), advising against the use of this drug by women who are pregnant. This decision was based on preliminary studies which suggested an increase in the risk of cardiovascular malformations among infants exposed to paroxetine in utero. A recent study from the Motherisk Program in Toronto has reported on the outcomes of over 3000 paroxetine-exposed infants.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T12:19:14-04:00April 23rd, 2008|Antidepressants, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

SSRIs and Pregnancy: Putting the Risks into Perspective

Depression is common during pregnancy, affecting 10% to 15% of women. While psychotherapy is an attractive option for the treatment of depression during pregnancy, all women do not respond to this intervention and many require pharmacotherapy. Thus far, no antidepressants have yet been approved by the FDA for use during pregnancy. Although data accumulated over the past 30 years suggest that certain medications, including the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be used safely during pregnancy, several new studies have raised concerns regarding the use of these medications during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:29:44-04:00October 7th, 2007|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

SSRIs and Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn

These findings are likely to generate significant anxiety among child-bearing women who suffer from depression who would like to maintain antidepressant medication during pregnancy. Future studies are needed to better understand the risk of PPHN in this setting.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2025-07-26T08:55:25-04:00April 24th, 2006|Antidepressants, Child Outcomes, Neonatal Symptoms, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off