neonatal outcomes - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

PTSD in Veterans Increases Risk of Preterm Birth

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is relatively common among pregnant and postpartum women. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD for women is about 10%. PTSD is most prevalent among women of childbearing age and PTSD symptoms are common during pregnancy. Earlier this year, we reported on a study which observed that women with a diagnosis of PTSD had an increased risk of preterm birth. The risk was particularly high in those women with diagnoses of both PTSD and a major depressive episode; these women had a 4-fold increased risk of preterm birth.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-11-12T14:59:10-04:00November 11th, 2014|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Women's Mental Health|0 Comments

SSRIs and PPHN: Are We Any Closer to Calculating the Risk?

The PPHN story has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Just to review…

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-01-24T15:57:42-04:00January 22nd, 2014|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

Prevalence and Trends in the Use of Antipsychotic Medications during Pregnancy

Since their introduction in the 1990s, atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics have replaced typical (first generation) antipsychotics as the first-line treatment for schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. These drugs are widely used by reproductive age women across many other disease states including bipolar disorder, major depression and anxiety disorders as either primary or adjunctive treatments.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2024-04-14T16:17:44-04:00June 10th, 2013|New Research, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

Mild to Moderate Iodine Deficiency in Pregnancy Associated with Lower Cognitive Functioning

Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. We have known for a long time that severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy may affect the cognitive development of the unborn child. According to a recent Lancet study, even children born to women with mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency during pregnancy are at increased risk for lower IQ and reading ability (assessed at age 9). The most severe effects were observed among children born to women with severe deficiency (<50 mcg/g iodine:creatinine ratio).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-12-11T12:42:47-04:00June 6th, 2013|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

Atypical Antipsychotic Medications: What Do We Know About Their Reproductive Safety?

Atypical antipsychotic medications are commonly used for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Despite the increasing use of these medications in women of child-bearing age, there is still relatively little data regarding the reproductive safety and long-term neurodevelopmental effects of these medications. A recent study assessed the development of 76 infants with fetal exposure to atypical antipsychotics.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T10:39:32-04:00May 15th, 2013|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

FDA Announces Approval of a New (Old) Medication for Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy

The combination of doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), to be marketed as Diclegis, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. A similar combination was previously sold under the name Bendectin but was pulled from the market in 1983 because there were concerns regarding its reproductive safety. (Bendectin originally contained dicyclomine which was later removed due to lack of efficacy.)

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-06T11:49:48-04:00April 11th, 2013|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

Dr. Lee Cohen in Ob-Gyn News: Using SSRIs in Pregnancy

Over the last decade, attention in the medical literature has gathered logarithmically to focus on potentially efficacious treatments for perinatal depression. Studies of relevant databases, editorials, and various reviews have addressed the reproductive safety concerns of antidepressant treatments, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on one hand, and the impact of untreated maternal psychiatric illness on fetal and maternal well-being on the other.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2024-03-31T10:40:13-04:00December 13th, 2012|Infertility and Mental Health, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|3 Comments

Exposure to Maternal Depression – Not Antidepressants – Predicts Worse Outcomes in Children

While data accumulated over the last 30 years suggest that certain antidepressants may be used with relative safety during pregnancy, our knowledge regarding the risks of prenatal exposure to psychotropic medications is incomplete. Because neuronal migration and differentiation occur throughout pregnancy and into the early years of life, development of the central nervous system (CNS) remains particularly vulnerable throughout pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-10T14:09:05-04:00November 7th, 2012|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|2 Comments

Yet Another Study Investigating SSRIs and Their Impact on Neonatal Outcomes

In a recent retrospective cohort study, data collected from linked records from the Women's and Children's Health Network in South Australia were used to investigate neonatal outcomes in children exposed prenatally to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Women were included in this study if they gave birth to a singleton, live-born infant between September 2000 and December 2008 (n = 33,965).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T11:38:25-04:00October 2nd, 2012|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|1 Comment

SSRIs and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: Why You Can’t Just Read the Abstract

Over the past few years, there have been a large number of studies which have relied on large administrative databases to generate information on the reproductive safety of various medications. One of the strengths of this type of approach is that it provides an opportunity to observe outcomes in a large number of subjects; however, there are certain, very important limitations. A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology helps to understand some of the challenges in interpreting the data generated from these studies.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T11:48:25-04:00September 20th, 2012|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|3 Comments