Neonatal Symptoms - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

SSRIs and Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn

Literature accumulated over the last decade supports the use of certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the older tricyclic antidepressants during pregnancy, indicating no increased risk of congenital malformation in children exposed to these medications during the first trimester of pregnancy. Still, questions remain regarding the purported risk for "toxicity" in newborns exposed to antidepressants around the time of labor and delivery (see Fall 2004 and Spring 2005 Newsletters). In addition, a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has linked SSRI use during late pregnancy to an increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (Chambers 2006).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T09:48:04-04:00April 24th, 2006|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|3 Comments

Should SSRIs Be Discontinued Prior to Delivery?

About 10-15% of women suffer from depression during pregnancy. The rates are probably even higher among those women who have histories of depression prior to pregnancy. Thus, many women with recurrent illness make the decision to remain on antidepressant during pregnancy. While there have been many studies supporting the reproductive safety of certain antidepressants, including Prozac and the tricyclic antidepressants, during pregnancy, concerns have emerged as to whether antidepressants, including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may increase the risk of adverse events in the newborn.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-22T14:41:25-04:00June 13th, 2005|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments

Bipolar Disorder and Pregnancy

Unfortunately the mood stabilizers most commonly used to treat bipolar disorder (including lithium and valproic acid) can increase the risk of certain types of birth defects or congenital malformations in children exposed to these medications during the first trimester of pregnancy. For this reason, many women with bipolar disorder choose to discontinue maintenance treatment during pregnancy. However, we have observed very high rates of illness during pregnancy among these women who discontinue treatment; over half of the women relapse, most frequently during the first trimester.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:38:39-04:00January 6th, 2001|New Research, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|1 Comment