Something is happening. The issue of perinatal depression is spending a lot of time in the media spotlight these days. But rather than focusing on the risks of medications used during pregnancy (the usual headline [...]
Some, but not all, studies have shown an association between in utero exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm delivery, low birth weight, and lower Apgar scores. [...]
Over the last few years, we have reported on several studies which have suggested an increased risk of certain types of cardiovascular malformations among children exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy. The first reports [...]
Some, but not all, studies have indicated that depression during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth. A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology is one of the largest to address this question.
There have been multiple studies suggesting that depression during pregnancy increases the risk for preterm labor. Most studies do not attribute this increase in risk to antidepressant exposure, but to the effects of the depression itself. The mechanism is believed to be related to increased levels of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) which is triggered by stress. Elevated levels of CRH have been shown to be a predictor of preterm birth.
