Delivery outcome after the use of antidepressants in early pregnancy

Timing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use and risk for preterm birth and related adverse events: with a consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic period

OBJECTIVE

There is uncertainty around the safety of SSRIs for treating depression during pregnancy. Nevertheless, the use of SSRIs has been gradually increasing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic period. We aimed to (1) characterize maternal depression rate and use of SSRIs in a recent 10-year period, (2) address confounding by indication, as well as socioeconomic and environmental factors, and (3) evaluate associations of the timing of SSRI exposure in pregnancy with risk for preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA) infants among women with depression before pregnancy.

METHODS

We conducted propensity score-adjusted regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) of PTB, LBW, and SGA. We accounted for maternal/pregnancy characteristics, comorbidity, depression severity, time of delivery, social vulnerability, and rural residence.

RESULTS

There were 50.3% and 40.3% increases in the prevalence rate of prenatal depression and prenatal SSRI prescription rate during the pandemic. We identified women with depression ≤180 days before pregnancy (n = 8406). Women with no SSRI order during pregnancy (n = 3760) constituted the unexposed group. The late SSRI exposure group consisted of women with an SSRI order after the first trimester (n = 3759). The early-only SSRI exposure group consisted of women with SSRI orders only in the first trimester (n = 887). The late SSRI exposure group had an increased risk of PTB of OR = 1.5 ([1.2,1.8]) and LBW of OR = 1.5 ([1.2,2.0]), relative to the unexposed group. Associations between late SSRI exposure and risk of PTB/LBW were similar among a subsample of patients who delivered during the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest an association between PTB/LBW and SSRI exposure is dependent on exposure timing during pregnancy. Small for gestational age is not associated with SSRI exposure.

Consensus Panel Recommendations for the Pharmacological Management of Pregnant Women with Depressive Disorders

INTRODUCTION

The initiative of a consensus on the topic of antidepressant and anxiolytic drug use in pregnancy is developing in an area of clinical uncertainty. Although many studies have been published in recent years, there is still a paucity of authoritative evidence-based indications useful for guiding the prescription of these drugs during pregnancy, and the data from the literature are complex and require expert judgment to draw clear conclusions.

METHODS

For the elaboration of the consensus, we have involved the scientific societies of the sector, namely, the Italian Society of Toxicology, the Italian Society of Neuropsychopharmacology, the Italian Society of Psychiatry, the Italian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Italian Society of Drug Addiction and the Italian Society of Addiction Pathology. An interdisciplinary team of experts from different medical specialties (toxicologists, pharmacologists, psychiatrists, gynecologists, neonatologists) was first established to identify the needs underlying the consensus. The team, in its definitive structure, includes all the representatives of the aforementioned scientific societies; the task of the team was the evaluation of the most accredited international literature as well as using the methodology of the "Nominal Group Technique" with the help of a systematic review of the literature and with various discussion meetings, to arrive at the drafting and final approval of the document.

RESULTS

The following five areas of investigation were identified: (1) The importance of management of anxiety and depressive disorders in pregnancy, identifying the risks associated with untreated maternal depression in pregnancy. (2) The assessment of the overall risk of malformations with the antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs used in pregnancy. (3) The evaluation of neonatal adaptation disorders in the offspring of pregnant antidepressant/anxiolytic-treated women. (4) The long-term outcome of infants' cognitive development or behavior after in utero exposure to antidepressant/anxiolytic medicines. (5) The evaluation of pharmacological treatment of opioid-abusing pregnant women with depressive disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the state of the art, it is therefore necessary in the first instance to frame the issue of pharmacological choices in pregnant women who need treatment with antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs on the basis of data currently available in the literature. Particular attention must be paid to the evaluation of the risk/benefit ratio, understood both in terms of therapeutic benefit with respect to the potential risks of the treatment on the pregnancy and on the fetal outcome, and of the comparative risk between the treatment and the absence of treatment; in the choice prescription, the specialist needs to be aware of both the potential risks of pharmacological treatment and the equally important risks of an untreated or undertreated disorder.

The development of a patient decision aid to reduce decisional conflict about antidepressant use in pregnancy

Background

People with moderate to severe depression in pregnancy must weigh potential risks of untreated or incompletely treated depression against the small, but uncertain risks of fetal antidepressant drug exposure. Clinical support alone appears insufficient for helping individuals with this complex decision. A patient decision aid (PDA) has the potential to be a useful tool for this population. The objective of our work was to use internationally recognized guidelines from the International Patient Decision Aids Standards Collaboration to develop an evidence-based PDA for antidepressant use in pregnancy.

Methods

A three-phased development process was used whereby, informed by patient and physician perspectives and evidence synthesis, a steering committee commissioned a web-based PDA for those deciding whether or not to start or continue antidepressant treatment for depression in pregnancy (Phase 1). A prototype was developed (Phase 2) and iteratively revised based on feedback during field testing based on a user-centred process (Phase 3).

Results

We developed a web-based PDA for people deciding whether to start or continue antidepressant use for depression in pregnancy. It has five interactive sections: (1) information on depression and treatment; (2) reasons to start/continue an antidepressant and to start/stop antidepressant medication; (3) user assessment of values regarding each issue; (4) opportunity to reflect on factors that contribute to decision making; and (5) a printable PDF that summarizes the user’s journey through the PDA.

Conclusions

This tool, which exclusively focuses on depression treatment with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Serotonin–Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors, can be used by individuals making decisions about antidepressant use to treat depression during pregnancy. Limitations of the PDA are that it is not for other conditions, nor other medications that can be used for depression, and in its pilot form cannot be used by women who do not speak English or who have a visual impairment. Pending further study, it has the potential to enhance quality of care and patient experience.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12911-022-01870-1.

Maternal use of antidepressants during pregnancy and risks for adverse perinatal outcomes: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To perform an updated and comprehensive meta-analysis on the risks of adverse perinatal outcomes in children whose mothers received antidepressants during pregnancy.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of several databases was conducted through December 2018 to identify relevant studies. Risk estimates and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore the source of heterogeneity and test the robustness.

RESULTS

Forty-eight cohort and 6 case-control studies were included. In cohort studies, children whose mothers received antidepressants during pregnancy had higher risks of preterm birth (RR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.37, 1.90), low birth weight (RR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.80), and admissions to neonatal intensive care unit (RR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.38, 1.85) when compared with children born by depressed but untreated pregnant women. The risks of spontaneous abortions (RR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.73), large for gestational age (RR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.20), stillbirths (RR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.32), low Apgar score at 5 min (RR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.42, 2.56), and neonatal convulsions (RR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.56, 2.48) increased in children whose mothers received antidepressants during pregnancy when compared with children born by healthy pregnant women.

CONCLUSION

Compared with children whose mothers did not receive antidepressants during pregnancy, children whose mothers received antidepressants during pregnancy had increased risks of adverse perinatal outcomes. Further research on the dose of antidepressants is needed.

Annual Research Review: Maternal antidepressant use during pregnancy and offspring neurodevelopmental problems - a critical review and recommendations for future research

Children of women treated with antidepressants during pregnancy are more likely to develop neurodevelopmental problems than are unexposed children. Associations between prenatal antidepressant exposure and neurodevelopmental problems could reflect a causal effect or could be partially or fully explained by other factors that differ between exposed and unexposed offspring, including having mothers with conditions requiring antidepressant treatment (e.g. depression), environmental risk factors, and/or genetic risk factors shared across disorders. This translational review aims to provide a brief overview of findings from rodent experiments and critically evaluate observational studies in humans to assess the extent to which associations between prenatal antidepressant exposure and neurodevelopmental problems are due to causal mechanisms versus other influences. We focus our review on two important neurodevelopmental outcomes - autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In general, rodent studies have reported adverse effects of perinatal antidepressant exposure on neurodevelopment. Between-species differences raise questions about the generalizability of these findings to humans. Indeed, converging evidence from studies using multiple designs and approaches suggest that observed associations between prenatal antidepressant exposure and neurodevelopmental problems in humans are largely due to confounding factors. We also provide specific recommendations for future research. Animal research should explicitly evaluate the impact of timing of exposure and dosage of medications, as well as better map outcome measures in rodents to human neurodevelopmental problems. Observational studies should investigate specific confounding factors, specific antidepressant drugs and classes, the potential impact of timing of exposure, and a wider range of other potential offspring outcomes. The findings summarized in this review may help women and their doctors make informed decisions about antidepressant use during pregnancy by providing reassurance that use of these medications during pregnancy is unlikely to substantially increase the risk of ASD and ADHD.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use in pregnant women; pharmacogenetics, drug-drug interactions and adverse effects

INTRODUCTION

Possible negative effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in pregnancy relate to congenital anomalies, negative perinatal events and neurodevelopmental outcome. Many studies are confounded by the underlying maternal disease and by pharmacogenetic and pharmacokinetic differences of these drugs. Areas covered: The possible interactions of SSRIs and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors with other drugs and the known effects of SSRIs on congenital anomalies, perinatal and neurodevelopmental outcome. Expert opinion: SSRIs should be given with caution when combined with other drugs that are metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes. SSRIs apparently increase the rate of severe cardiac malformations, induce neonatal adaptation problems in up to 30% of the offspring, increase the rate of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and possibly slightly increase the rate of prematurity and low birth weight. Most neurodevelopmental follow up studies did not find significant cognitive impairments except some transient gross motor delay, slight impairment of language abilities and possibly behavioral changes. The literature on the possible association of SSRIs with autism spectrum disorder is inconsistent; if an association exists, it is apparently throughout pregnancy. The risk associated with treatment discontinuation seems to outweigh the risk of treatment, as severe maternal depression may negatively affect the child's development. If needed, treatment should continue in pregnancy with the minimal effective dose.

Psychotropic medication in pregnancy

The risks and benefits of psychopharmacological treatment in pregnancy need careful consideration. Conventional antipsychotics and tricyclic antidepressants are relatively safe for the foetus. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors appear to be safe, but mood stabilisers such as lithium, sodium valproate and carbamazepine are associated with increased foetal malformations. Benzodiazepines in the first trimester are teratogenic, and in high dosage can also cause withdrawal symptoms, hypotonia and agitation in the newborn. Women taking atypical antipsychotics should be switched to conventional antipsychotics before they conceive. In women with long-term mental illness necessitating psychotropic medication, effort should be made to stop polypharmacy and non-essential medication (e.g. benzodiazepines) and to decrease the dose of essential drugs, after full assessment. There is rarely a valid reason to stop essential drug treatment during pregnancy.

The impact of exposure to antidepressant medications during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes: a review of retrospective database cohort studies

INTRODUCTION

Concerns with prescription antidepressant use in pregnant women have instigated the examination of potential associations between fetal exposure to antidepressant medication and outcomes including preterm delivery, congenital malformations, perinatal and post-natal adverse events, persistent pulmonary hypertension, and mortality. The retrospective cohort model is an often utilized study design. The objective of this review is to evaluate the literature on antidepressant use in pregnancy conducted as retrospective cohorts in national/regional medical, or claims databases that assess neonatal and infant outcomes for agreement between studies, ultimately providing a methodological and outcomes summary for future scientific endeavors.

METHODS

PubMed was searched for literature relating to antidepressant use and infant outcomes from the earliest available date through July 15, 2016. Studies with a retrospective cohort design and conducted in national/regional medical or claims databases were included. Searched outcomes included preterm delivery, congenital malformations, low birth weight, small for gestational age, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and other select adverse events comprising low Apgar score (5 min), convulsions/seizures, respiratory distress/problems, fetal mortality, and infant mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 784 studies identified, 36 retrospective cohort studies met eligibility criteria. An increase in preterm delivery and respiratory distress/problems and no increase in congenital malformation or fetal and infant death were associated with prenatal use of prescription antidepressants by majority consensus (at least 2/3 [67%] of studies).

CONCLUSIONS

While consensus indicates that perinatal prescription antidepressant use has consequences for the fetus and infant, there are notable inconsistencies in the literature. More investigations that address prenatal exposure to depression and other important covariates are needed.

Depression in Women across the Life Cycle

Several depressive disorders are unique to women, affecting them at various points in their life cycle. These disorders include premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), pregnancy-associated depressive disorders, and perimenopausal affective disorders. Recently, the importance of the relationship between depression and the reproductive cycle has been highlighted due to the approval of medications to treat (PMDD). The role of gender difference in the prevalence of depressive disorders has long been recognized. This article will examine whether there are differences between men and women in the clinical presentation of depression, including differences in symptom manifestation, course of illness, comorbidities, and treatment. Systematic evaluation of the role of hormonal and neuroendocrine factors may lead to more appropriate treatment of depressive disorders in women.

A patient decision aid for antidepressant use in pregnancy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Many women with depression experience significant difficulty making a decision about whether or not to use antidepressant medication in pregnancy. Patient decision aids (PDAs) are tools that assist patients in making complex health decisions. PDAs can reduce decision-making difficulty and lead to better treatment outcomes. We describe the methods for a pilot randomized controlled trial of an interactive web-based PDA for women who are having difficulty deciding about antidepressant drug use in pregnancy.

Methods/Design

This is a pilot randomized controlled trial that aims to assess the feasibility of a larger, multi-center efficacy study. The PDA aims to help a woman: (1) understand why an antidepressant is being recommended, (2) be knowledgeable about potential benefits and risks of treatment and non-treatment with antidepressants, and (3) be clear about which benefits and risks are most important to her, with the goal of improving confidence in her decision-making. We include women aged 18 years or older who are: (1) planning a pregnancy or are pregnant (gestational age less than 30 weeks), (2) diagnosed with major depressive disorder, (3) deciding whether or not to use a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant in pregnancy, and (4) having at least moderate decision-making difficulty as per a Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) Score ≥25. Participants are randomized to receive the PDA or an informational resource sheet via a secure website, and have access to the stated allocation until their final study follow-up. The primary outcomes of the pilot study are feasibility of recruitment and retention, acceptability of the intervention, and adherence to the trial protocol. The primary efficacy outcome is DCS score at 4 weeks post randomization, with secondary outcomes including depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Discussion

Our PDA represents a key opportunity to optimize the decision-making process for women around antidepressants in pregnancy, leading to effective decision-making and optimizing improved maternal and child outcomes related to depression in pregnancy. The electronic nature of the PDA will facilitate keeping it up-to-date, and allow for widespread dissemination after efficacy is demonstrated.

Trial registration

This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.Gov under the identifier NCT02308592 (first registered: 2 December 2014).

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1233-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effects of Citalopram on Sutural and Calvarial Cell Processes

The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for the treatment of depression during pregnancy is suggested to increase the incidence of craniofacial abnormalities including craniosynostosis. Little is known about this mechanism, however based on previous data we propose a mechanism that affects cell cycle. Excessive proliferation, and reduction in apoptosis may lead to hyperplasia within the suture that may allow for differentiation, bony infiltration, and fusion. Here we utilized in vivo and in vitro analysis to investigate this proposed phenomenon. For in vivo analysis we used C57BL–6 wild-type breeders treated with a clinical dose of citalopram during the third trimester of pregnancy to produce litters exposed to the SSRI citalopram in utero. At post-natal day 15 sutures were harvested from resulting pups and subjected to histomorphometric analysis for proliferation (PCNA) and apoptosis (TUNEL). For in vitro studies, we used mouse calvarial pre-osteoblast cells (MC3T3-E1) to assess proliferation (MTS), apoptosis (Caspase 3/7-activity), and gene expression after exposure to titrated doses of citalopram. In vivo analysis for PCNA suggested segregation of effect by location, with the sagittal suture, showing a statistically significant increase in proliferative response. The coronal suture was not similarly affected, however there was a decrease in apoptotic activity at the dural edge as compared to the periosteal edge. No differences in apoptosis by suture or area due to SSRI exposure were observed. In vitro results suggest citalopram exposure increased proliferation and proliferative gene expression, and decreased apoptosis of the MC3T3-E1 cells. Decreased apoptosis was not confirmed in vivo however, an increase in proliferation without a concomitant increase in apoptosis is still defined as hyperplasia. Thus prenatal SSRI exposure may exert a negative effect on post-natal growth through a hyperplasia effect at the cranial growth sites perhaps leading to clinically significant craniofacial abnormalities.

Depression in women in Indian context

The estimate of the global burden of disease predicts that depression will be the second-leading cause of disability worldwide by 2020. Depression is widely prevalent in women in all age groups especially in India where 1.2 billion population lives. In the current scenario of underdiagnosed, untreated cases of females suffering from depression, the hurdles faced by Indian women include inadequate number of mental health professionals, lack of awareness, stigma, disadvantaged position of women, multiple roles, increased levels of stress, and domestic violence. The literature search included an electronic database, published materials, and standard textbooks. The authors have provided a brief overview of different types of depression in females. Epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, and management linked to the reproductive cycle of women have been covered. Awareness through public education, early detection, organized national mental health programs, comprehensive management, with judicious utilization of the limited resources would tackle the rising number of cases of female depression, in a cost effective manner, thereby preventing suicide.

Antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics in pregnancy and lactation

AIMS

Untreated perinatal depression and anxiety disorders are known to have significant negative impact on both maternal and fetal health. Dilemmas still remain regarding the use and safety of psychotropics in pregnant and lactating women suffering from perinatal depression and anxiety disorders. The aim of the current paper was to review the existing evidence base on the exposure and consequences of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics in women during pregnancy and lactation and to make recommendations for clinical decision making in management of these cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We undertook a bibliographic search of Medline/PubMed (1972 through 2014), Science Direct (1972 through 2014), Archives of Indian Journal of Psychiatry databases was done. References of retrieved articles, reference books, and dedicated websites were also checked.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The existing evidence base is extensive in studying multiple outcomes of the antidepressant or anxiolytic exposure in neonates, and some of the findings appear conflicting. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the most researched antidepressants in pregnancy and lactation. The available literature is criticized mostly on the lack of rigorous well designed controlled studies as well as lacunae in the methodologies, interpretation of statistical information, knowledge transfer, and translation of information. Research in this area in the Indian context is strikingly scarce. Appropriate risk-benefit analysis of untreated mental illness versus medication exposure, tailor-made to each patient's past response and preference within in the context of the available evidence should guide clinical decision making.

Antidepressant use during pregnancy and asthma in the offspring

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

It has been suggested that maternal depression during pregnancy is associated with asthma in the offspring, but the role of medical treatment of depression is not known. Our goal was to examine whether prenatal antidepressant use increases the risk of asthma in the offspring.

METHODS

A cohort study was performed among all live singletons born in Denmark between 1996 and 2007. Mothers who had a diagnosis of depressive disorder and/or who used antidepressants 1 year before or during the index pregnancy were identified. Using a Cox proportional hazards regression model, we estimated the hazard ratio (HR) for asthma in the offspring after antidepressant use during pregnancy.

RESULTS

Of the 733,685 children identified, 84,683 had a diagnosis of asthma. A total of 21,371 children were exposed to prenatal maternal depression (ie, a diagnosis of depressive disorder or use of antidepressants 1 year before or during pregnancy). Prenatal maternal depression was associated with childhood asthma (HR: 1.25 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20-1.30]). Overall, 8895 children were exposed to antidepressants in utero. Compared with children born to mothers with prenatal depression and no antidepressant use during pregnancy, the HR for asthma after any antidepressant use during pregnancy was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.93-1.08). HRs after use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors only, newer antidepressants only, and older antidepressants only were 0.95 (95% CI: 0.88-1.03), 1.11 (95% CI: 0.89-1.39), and 1.26 (95% CI: 1.02-1.55), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Antidepressant use during pregnancy generally did not increase the risk of asthma. Only use of older antidepressants was associated with an increased risk of asthma.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for treatment of major depression during pregnancy: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background

Women with depression in pregnancy are faced with difficult treatment decisions. Untreated, antenatal depression has serious negative implications for mothers and children. While antidepressant drug treatment is likely to improve depressive symptoms, it crosses the placenta and may pose risks to the unborn child. Transcranial direct current stimulation is a focal brain stimulation treatment that improves depressive symptoms within 3 weeks of treatment by inducing changes to brain areas involved in depression, without impacting any other brain areas, and without inducing changes to heart rate, blood pressure or core body temperature. The localized nature of transcranial direct current stimulation makes it an ideal therapeutic approach for treating depression during pregnancy, although it has never previously been evaluated in this population.

Methods/design

We describe a pilot randomized controlled trial of transcranial direct current stimulation among women with depression in pregnancy to assess the feasibility of a larger, multicentre efficacy study. Women over 18 years of age and between 14 and 32 weeks gestation can be enrolled in the study provided they meet diagnostic criteria for a major depressive episode of at least moderate severity and have been offered but refused antidepressant medication. Participants are randomized to receive active transcranial direct current stimulation or a sham condition that is administered in 15 30-minute treatments over three weeks. Women sit upright during treatment and receive obstetrical monitoring prior to, during and after each treatment session. Depressive symptoms, treatment acceptability, and pregnancy outcomes are assessed at baseline (prior to randomization), at the end of each treatment week, every four weeks post-treatment until delivery, and at 4 and 12 weeks postpartum.

Discussion

Transcranial direct current stimulation is a novel therapeutic option for treating depression during pregnancy. This protocol allows for assessment of the feasibility of, acceptability of and adherence with a clinical trial protocol to administer this treatment to pregnant women with moderate to severe depression. Results from this pilot study will guide the development of a larger multicentre trial to definitively test the efficacy and safety of transcranial direct current stimulation for pregnant women with depression.

Trial registration

Clinical Trials Gov NCT02116127.

Treatment of nonpsychotic major depression during pregnancy: patient safety and challenges

In pregnant women with major depression, the overarching goal of treatment is to achieve or maintain maternal euthymia, thus limiting both maternal and fetal exposure to the harmful effects of untreated or incompletely treated depression. However, the absence of uniformly effective therapies with guaranteed obstetric and fetal safety makes the treatment of major depression during pregnancy among the most formidable of clinical challenges. Clinicians and patients are still faced with conflicting data and expert opinion regarding the reproductive safety of antidepressants in pregnancy, as well as large gaps in our understanding of the effectiveness of most antidepressants and nonpharmacological alternatives for treating antenatal depression. In this paper, we provide a clinically focused review of the available information on potential maternal and fetal risks of untreated maternal depression during pregnancy, the effectiveness of interventions for maternal depression during pregnancy, and potential obstetric, fetal, and neonatal risks associated with antenatal antidepressant use.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in human pregnancy: on the way to resolving the controversy

There has been an increase in the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy. However, in the last 10 years, in spite of a vast literature regarding use in pregnancy there seems to be some confusion as to the possible risk of these drugs, especially related to cardiovascular anomalies. In addition, there are data on developmental follow-up studies that raise the question of possible slight developmental and neurobehavioral problems. The purpose of the present review is therefore to critically summarize the current evidence for the risk/benefit analysis of SSRI use in human pregnancy. Although most studies have not shown an increase in the overall risk of major malformations, several have suggested that the use of SSRIs may be associated with a small increased risk for cardiovascular malformations. However, new compelling evidence shows that this apparent increased risk occurs also in women with untreated depression, highlighting the probable ascertainment bias involved in many of these studies. Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) has also been described with an absolute risk of <1%; however, here too, higher rates were described among offspring of women with untreated depression. Poor neonatal adaptation has been described in up to 30% of neonates exposed to SSRIs late in pregnancy. Of the few postnatal developmental follow-up studies, there are no significant developmental problems. The literature on SSRIs in pregnancy is somewhat confusing but when analysing all prospective cohort data there seems to be no demonstrable increase in the rate of major anomalies or developmental disorders. When evaluating the risk/benefit ratio of SSRI treatment in pregnancy, the risk associated with treatment discontinuation - e.g. higher frequency of relapse, increased risk of preterm delivery and postpartum depression - appear to outweigh the potential, unproven risks of treatment. Moreover, maternal depression may negatively affect the child's development, emphasizing the importance of prevention by appropriate treatment during pregnancy with the least minimal effective dose.

Preterm birth and antidepressant medication use during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Preterm birth is a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality and its rate has been increasing over the past two decades. Antidepressant medication use during pregnancy has also been rising, with rates up to 7.5% in the US. The objective was to systematically review the literature to determine the strength of the available evidence relating to a possible association between antidepressant use during pregnancy and preterm birth.

METHODS

We conducted a computerized search in PUBMED, MEDLINE and PsycINFO through September 2012, supplemented with a manual search of reference lists, to identify original published research on preterm birth rates in women taking antidepressants during pregnancy. Data were independently extracted by two reviewers, and absolute and relative risks abstracted or calculated. Our a priori design was to group studies by level of confounding adjustment and by timing of antidepressant use during pregnancy; we used random-effects models to calculate summary measures of effect.

RESULTS

Forty-one studies met inclusion criteria. Pooled adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) were 1.53 (1.40-1.66) for antidepressant use at any time and 1.96 (1.62-2.38) for 3rd trimester use. Controlling for a diagnosis of depression did not eliminate the effect. There was no increased risk [1.16 (0.92-1.45)] in studies that identified patients based on 1st trimester exposure. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated unmeasured confounding would have to be strong to account for the observed association.

DISCUSSION

Published evidence is consistent with an increased risk of preterm birth in women taking antidepressants during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, although the possibility of residual confounding cannot be completely ruled out.

Prenatal antidepressant exposure: clinical and preclinical findings

Pharmacological treatment of any maternal illness during pregnancy warrants consideration of the consequences of the illness and/or medication for both the mother and unborn child. In the case of major depressive disorder, which affects up to 10-20% of pregnant women, the deleterious effects of untreated depression on the offspring can be profound and long lasting. Progress has been made in our understanding of the mechanism(s) of action of antidepressants, fetal exposure to these medications, and serotonin's role in development. New technologies and careful study designs have enabled the accurate sampling of maternal serum, breast milk, umbilical cord serum, and infant serum psychotropic medication concentrations to characterize the magnitude of placental transfer and exposure through human breast milk. Despite this progress, the extant clinical literature is largely composed of case series, population-based patient registry data that are reliant on nonobjective means and retrospective recall to determine both medication and maternal depression exposure, and limited inclusion of suitable control groups for maternal depression. Conclusions drawn from such studies often fail to incorporate embryology/neurotransmitter ontogeny, appropriate gestational windows, or a critical discussion of statistically versus clinically significant. Similarly, preclinical studies have predominantly relied on dosing models, leading to exposures that may not be clinically relevant. The elucidation of a defined teratological effect or mechanism, if any, has yet to be conclusively demonstrated. The extant literature indicates that, in many cases, the benefits of antidepressant use during pregnancy for a depressed pregnant woman may outweigh potential risks.

A meta-analysis of the relationship between antidepressant use in pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationship between antidepressant use in pregnancy and low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB).

DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION

We searched English and non-English language articles via PubMed, CINAHL and PsychINFO (from their start dates through December 1st, 2012). We used the following keywords and their combinations: antidepressant, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), pregnancy, antenatal, prenatal, birthweight, birth weight, preterm, prematurity, gestational age, fetal growth restriction, intrauterine growth restriction, and small-for-gestational age. Published studies were considered eligible if they examined exposure to antidepressant medication use during pregnancy and reported data on at least one birth outcome of interest: PTB (<37 weeks gestation) or LBW (<2500 g). Of the 222 reviewed studies, 28 published studies met the selection criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors independently extracted study characteristics from eligible studies.

RESULTS

Using random-effects models, antidepressant use in pregnancy was significantly associated with LBW (RR: 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-1.70) and PTB (RR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.52-1.88). Studies varied widely in design, populations, control groups and methods. There was a high level of heterogeneity as measured by I2 statistics for both outcomes examined. The relationship between antidepressant exposure in pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes did not differ significantly when taking into account drug type (SSRI vs. other or mixed) or study design (prospective vs. retrospective). There was a significant association between antidepressant exposure and PTB for different types of control status used (depressed, mixed or nondepressed).

CONCLUSIONS

Antidepressant use during pregnancy significantly increases the risk for LBW and PTB.

Perinatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by maternal depression with or without selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy

BACKGROUND

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed psychotropics for major depressive disorder during pregnancy and are used in up to 6.2% of pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the perinatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by maternal depression with or without SSRI therapy versus nondepressed pregnancies.

METHODS

International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 codes for depression were identified among women who delivered at the University of Iowa from April 2009 to March 2011. Data were extracted from linked maternal-neonatal records for all charts with an ICD-9 code for depression and an equal number of women without ICD-9 codes for depression.

RESULTS

Of the 3,695 women who delivered between 2009 and 2011, 238 had an ICD-9 code for depression. Sixteen women had depression listed in their records but did not have an ICD-9 code for depression. Their data were combined with those of the women with ICD-9 codes for depression, and it was found that 126 women (50%) in this combined depression cohort received an SSRI. Women with depression had increased alcohol and tobacco use, BMI and premature delivery rates (p < 0.01). Maternal depression was associated with an increased frequency of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (p < 0.001). In addition to depression, maternal SSRI use, obesity and smoking were univariate predictors of NICU admission.

CONCLUSIONS

Among women with depression, the use of an SSRI was not associated with significant differences in any of the measured maternal or neonatal parameters, but further studies are needed to evaluate the specific effects of SSRI exposure in early or late gestation. Despite SSRI utilization, women with depression continue to have increased risks during pregnancy.

The use of antidepressant medication in pregnancy

The use of antidepressant medications during pregnancy has stimulated much professional and public debate. As a consequence, considerable data on the reproductive safety of antidepressants has been generated that exceeds the available information for most, if not all, other classes of medications that may be used in the perinatal period. Despite progress to date, definitive conclusions are limited by the methodological issues inherent to clinical research involving illness versus treatment effects in pregnancy. A notable shortcoming is the limited discussion of statistically significant (a mathematical determination) versus clinically significant (incorporation of incidence and effect sizes into practical relevance). Research emphasises completing an individualised 'risk-benefit' assessment, which is a laudable goal but falls short in providing succinct practical guidelines that includes the key educational points for patients. In this chapter, we focus on areas in which the preponderance of data are consistent, and there is concordance with the preclinical literature to generate a practical approach for antidepressant use in pregnancy.

The use of central nervous system active drugs during pregnancy

CNS-active drugs are used relatively often during pregnancy. Use during early pregnancy may increase the risk of a congenital malformation; use during the later part of pregnancy may be associated with preterm birth, intrauterine growth disturbances and neonatal morbidity. There is also a possibility that drug exposure can affect brain development with long-term neuropsychological harm as a result. This paper summarizes the literature on such drugs used during pregnancy: opioids, anticonvulsants, drugs used for Parkinson's disease, neuroleptics, sedatives and hypnotics, antidepressants, psychostimulants, and some other CNS-active drugs. In addition to an overview of the literature, data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register (1996-2011) are presented. The exposure data are either based on midwife interviews towards the end of the first trimester or on linkage with a prescribed drug register. An association between malformations and maternal use of anticonvulsants and notably valproic acid is well known from the literature and also demonstrated in the present study. Some other associations between drug exposure and outcome were found.

The effects of maternal depression and use of antidepressants during pregnancy on risk of a child small for gestational age

RATIONALE

Use of antidepressants during pregnancy has been associated with an increased rate of children small for gestational age (SGA), but it is unclear whether this is due to an effect of the underlying depressive disorder.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the effect of antidepressants on SGA in a nationwide sample and to separate the effect of exposure to antidepressants in utero from the effect of maternal depression.

METHODS

A register study was conducted on all pregnant women in Denmark from 1996 to 2006 linking nationwide individualized data from the Medical Birth Register, the Psychiatric Central Register, and a prescription database. The rate of SGA (birth weight below the 10 percentile at given gestational week) was investigated for children exposed in utero to antidepressants or to a maternal psychiatric diagnosis of depression compared to children not prenatally exposed to antidepressants or maternal diagnosis.

RESULTS

A total of 673,853 pregnancies were included in the study of which 35.737 women had a diagnosis of depression and/or used antidepressants before end of pregnancy. Antidepressant use during pregnancy was weakly associated with SGA (hazard ratios (HR) = 1.19; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.11-1.28), whereas a psychiatric diagnosis before or during pregnancy was not (HR = 1.02; 95 % CI, 0.92-1.13). The association for use during pregnancy was found for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and newer antidepressants, but not for older antidepressants.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of antidepressants during pregnancy slightly increases the rate of SGA. The association seems unrelated to the underlying maternal depressive disorder.

The fetal safety of fluoxetine: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Fluoxetine is the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with the longest clinical use. Published reports regarding its fetal safety are contradictory. We aimed to establish the fetal safety of the drug.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of the literature, searching PubMed, Medline, and Embase from inception to August 31, 2012, for cohort and case-control studies in which women were exposed to fluoxetine during the first trimester and compared outcomes with those of unexposed control subjects.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. The odds ratio for major malformations associated with maternal fluoxetine use in cohort studies was 1.12 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.28). The studies included were homogeneous. Fifteen cohort studies evaluated cardiac malformations and yielded an overall odds ratio of 1.6 (95% CI 1.31 to 1.95). These studies also were homogeneous. In contrast, two case-control studies assessing cardiac malformations yielded a combined odds ratio of 0.63 (95% CI 0.39 to 1.03).

CONCLUSION

The apparent increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations associated with maternal use of fluoxetine has recently been shown also in depressed women who deferred SSRI therapy in pregnancy, and therefore most probably reflects an ascertainment bias. Overall, women who are treated with fluoxetine during the first trimester of pregnancy do not appear to have an increased risk of major fetal malformations.

The effects of maternal depression and maternal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure on offspring

It has been estimated that 20% of pregnant women suffer from depression and it is well-documented that maternal depression can have long-lasting effects on the child. Currently, common treatment for maternal depression has been the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications (SSRIs) which are used by 2–3% of pregnant women in the Nordic countries and by up to 10% of pregnant women in the United States. Antidepressants cross the placenta and are transferred to the fetus, thus, the question arises as to whether children of women taking antidepressants are at risk for altered neurodevelopmental outcomes and, if so, whether the risks are due to SSRI medication exposure or to the underlying maternal depression. This review considers the effects of maternal depression and SSRI exposure on offspring development in both clinical and preclinical populations. As it is impossible in humans to study the effects of SSRIs without taking into account the possible underlying effects of maternal depression (healthy pregnant women do not take SSRIs), animal models are of great value. For example, rodents can be used to determine the effects of maternal depression and/or perinatal SSRI exposure on offspring outcomes. Unraveling the joint (or separate) effects of maternal depression and SSRI exposure will provide more insights into the risks or benefits of SSRI exposure during gestation and will help women make informed decisions about using SSRIs during pregnancy.

Maternal depression, antidepressant use in pregnancy and Apgar scores in infants

BACKGROUND

Use of antidepressants during pregnancy has been associated with a low Apgar score in infants but a contribution from the underlying depressive disorder might influence this association.

AIMS

To estimate the effects of maternal depression and use of antidepressants during pregnancy on low Apgar scores (<7) 5 min after birth.

METHOD

Register study on all pregnant women in Denmark from 1996 to 2006 linking nationwide individualised data from the Medical Birth Register, the Psychiatric Central Register and the National Prescription database.

RESULTS

Infants exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy had an increased rate of a low Apgar score (odds ratio (OR) = 1.72, 95% CI 1.34-2.20). The increased rate was only found among infants exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (OR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.52-2.54), not among those exposed to newer (OR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.40-1.74) or older antidepressants (OR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.19-1.45). Maternal depression before or during pregnancy, without prescription of antidepressants, was not associated with a low Apgar score (OR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.11-1.74). Women who had only used antidepressants prior to pregnancy had no increased rate of a low Apgar score in their subsequent pregnancy, regardless of depression status.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of SSRIs during pregnancy increases the risk of a low Apgar score independently of maternal depression.

Prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and infant outcome

BACKGROUND

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are prescribed increasingly also during pregnancy. Although a number of studies have assessed their safety, data concerning congenital malformations and adverse perinatal outcome are conflicting.

METHODS

Literature search in PubMed until March 31, 2012, including original research articles, meta-analyses, and reviews.

RESULTS

Fluoxetine and paroxetine use in early pregnancy has been associated with a small increased risk for specific cardiovascular malformations in some studies, fluoxetine with ventricular septal defects and paroxetine with right ventricular outflow tract defects. The observed absolute risk for these specific malformations is small. Data on preterm birth, low birth weight, and being small for gestational age have been conflicting; and mother's underlying depression is obviously an important confounder. Respiratory distress and neonatal adaptation problems are common in prenatally exposed infants, and an increased risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn has been observed in several studies. Although several studies have not confirmed an increased risk for adverse neurodevelopment, a recent study observed an increased risk for autism spectrum disorders in prenatally exposed offspring.

CONCLUSIONS

Causality cannot be confirmed in observational study settings. However, parallel results in individual studies regarding the cardiac malformations and pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, together with an existing biologically plausible mechanism behind these events may support causality. Considering the important role of serotonin in central nervous system development, more studies are needed to assess the possible adverse effects on long-term neurodevelopment.

Prevalence of antidepressant use during pregnancy in Denmark, a nation-wide cohort study

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and patterns of exposure to antidepressants before, during and after pregnancy in a cohort including all pregnant women in Denmark between 1997 and 2010.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study including 912 322 pregnancies. Information was retrieved from the Danish Birth Registry and The Register of Medicinal Product Statistics to identify women redeeming an antidepressant prescription during pregnancy. Exposure periods were based on standard treatment doses and dispensed pack sizes.

RESULTS

We identified 19 740 pregnancies exposed to an antidepressant at some point during pregnancy. The rate of exposure increased from 0.2% in 1997 to 3.2% in 2010. We found that the rate of exposure was halved during the first 3 months of pregnancy. In contrast, we describe a clear increase in exposure after pregnancy among pre-delivery treatment-naïve women.

CONCLUSIONS

In spite of uncertainty concerning antidepressants' safety during pregnancy we find a 16-fold increase in exposure rates between 1997 and 2010. The rates describe a sharp decrease in exposure during pregnancy that is probably caused by physicians' hesitation to prescribe antidepressants and women's fear of unwanted effects on the unborn child. More studies are needed to clarify the consequences of antidepressant discontinuation during pregnancy.

Antidepressant use in pregnancy: a critical review focused on risks and controversies

OBJECTIVE

Conflicting data have led to controversy regarding antidepressant use during pregnancy. The objectives of this study are to i) review the risks of untreated depression and anxiety, ii) review the literature on risks of exposure to antidepressants during pregnancy, iii) discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the different study designs used to evaluate those risks, and iv) provide clinical recommendations.

METHOD

MEDLINE/PubMed was searched for reports and studies on the risk of first-trimester teratogenicity, postnatal adaptation syndrome (PNAS), and persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) with in utero antidepressant exposure.

RESULTS

While some individual studies suggest associations between some specific major malformations, the findings are inconsistent. Therefore, the absolute risks appear small. PNAS occurs in up to 30% of neonates exposed to antidepressants. In some studies, PPHN has been weakly associated with in utero antidepressant exposure, while in other studies, there has been no association.

CONCLUSION

Exposures of concern include that of untreated maternal illness as well as medication exposure. It is vital to have a careful discussion, tailored to each patient, which incorporates the evidence to date and considers methodological and statistical limitations. Past medication trials, previous success with symptom remission, and women's preference should guide treatment decisions.

Psychopharmacological treatment of mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy

Many women with psychiatric disorders want to become mothers and only a minority seek advise prior to becoming pregnant. In those women, in whom pregnancy can be planned, the decision, if a medication is required for stabilisation and which one to choose if this is the case, is easier to make than in women in whom pregnancy occurs unplanned. The physician has to weigh the risk that a relapse of the psychiatric disorder during pregnancy poses to the foetus against the reproductive risk of psychotropic drugs. This presentation is intended to assist in understanding the general principles of pharmacotherapy during pregnancy as well as the morphological, perinatal and neurobehavioural toxicity of antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and mood stabilisers.

Antidepressant use during pregnancy: the benefit-risk ratio

Antidepressants are used commonly in pregnancy. Physicians who provide health care for pregnant women with depression must balance maternal well-being with potential fetal risks of these medications. Over the last decade, scores of original and review articles have discussed whether selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors-selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors possess risks to the fetus; however, very little has been done to integrate these potential risks, if they exist, into an overall context of a benefit:risk ratio. This review aims at presenting an updated analysis of fetal and maternal exposure to selective serotonin or norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors to allow an evidence-based benefit:risk ratio. When a psychiatric condition necessitates pharmacotherapy, the benefits of such therapy far outweigh the potential minimal risks of cardiac malformations, primary pulmonary hypertension of the newborn infant, or poor neonatal adaptation syndrome.

Pregnancy outcome after exposure to antidepressants and the role of maternal depression: results from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study

Results of previous studies on the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy have been conflicting. The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether first-trimester exposure to antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), was associated with increased risk of congenital malformations. The secondary objective was to examine the effects of exposure to antidepressants during pregnancy on birth weight and gestational age.We included 63,395 women from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. The women had completed 2 self-administered questionnaires at gestational weeks 17 and 30 on medication use and medical, sociodemographic, and psychological factors. Data on pregnancy outcome were retrieved from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway.Of the 63,395 women, 699 (1.1%) reported using antidepressants during pregnancy, most frequently SSRIs (0.9%). Exposure to SSRIs during the first trimester was not associated with increased risk of congenital malformations in general (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-1.84) or cardiovascular malformations (adjusted OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 0.67-3.43). Exposure to antidepressants during pregnancy was not associated with increased risk of preterm birth (adjusted OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.87-1.69) or low birth weight (adjusted OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.33-1.16).This study does not suggest a strongly increased risk of malformations, preterm birth, or low birth weight following prenatal exposure to antidepressants. Without adjustments for level of maternal depression and various sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, antidepressant use during pregnancy would wrongly have been associated with an increased risk of preterm birth.

Disturbed development of the enteric nervous system after in utero exposure of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. Part 1: Literature review

The increase in selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) use during pregnancy, questions concerning abnormal development of the enteric nervous system (ENS), increase in laxative use in children and the association of fluoxetine with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) gave rise to this pharmacological literature review. The role of 5-HT and the NE uptake in ontogeny of the ENS and the effects SSRIs and TCAs might have on the development of the ENS were investigated. The literature study showed that SSRIs may influence the development of the ENS in two ways. Blockage of the serotonin re-uptake transporter (SERT) during foetal development could influence migration, differentiation and survival of cells. This could lead to abnormal development in the first trimester of pregnancy. The other way is that 5-HT seems to be a growth factor in the primitive ENS. This growth factor like action is mediated through the 5-HT(2B) receptor and stimulation of this receptor by SSRIs influences the fate of late-developing enteric neurons. This could lead to abnormal development in the second and third trimester. TCAs could influence the development of the ENS, besides through inhibition of the SERT, through inhibition of the norepinephrine transporter (NET). Expression of the NET seems to be essential for a full development of enteric neurons and especially for serotonergic neurons. In addition the NET was detected early in ontogeny and precedes neuronal differentiation, which suggests that TCAs might influence development of the ENS when exposed early in pregnancy. The insights of this study gave rise to hypotheses which will be tested in an epidemiological cohort study.

Disturbed development of the enteric nervous system after in utero exposure of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. Part 2: Testing the hypotheses

AIMS

Antidepressant use has increased in the last decade. Several studies have suggested a possible association between maternal antidepressant use and teratogenic effects.

METHODS

The pharmacy prescription database IADB.nl was used for a cohort study in which laxative and antidiarrhoeal medication use in children after in utero exposure to antidepressants (TCA, SSRI, fluoxetine or paroxetine exposed) was compared with no antidepressant exposure. Laxatives and antidiarrhoeal medication use were applied as a proxy for constipation and diarrhoea respectively, which may be associated with disturbed enteric nervous system (ENS) development.

RESULTS

Children exposed in utero to SSRIs (mainly fluoxetine and paroxetine) in the second and third trimester or to TCAs in the first trimester, more often received laxatives. Combined exposure to TCAs and SSRIs in pregnancy was associated with a 10-fold increase in laxative use. In utero exposure to SSRIs is not associated with antidiarrhoeal medication use compared with non-exposed children. In contrast, antidiarrhoeal medication use was significantly higher in children exposed to TCAs anytime in pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased laxative use after second and third trimester exposure to SSRIs might be explained through the inhibitory effect of the serotonin re-uptake transporter (SERT) and because of selectivity for the 5-HT(2B) receptor which affects the ENS. TCA exposure during the first trimester leads to increased laxative use probably through inhibition of the norepinephrine transporter (NET). Exposure of TCAs anytime in pregnancy leads to increase diarrhoeal use possibly through down-regulation of α₂-adrenoceptors or up-regulation of the pore forming α(1c) subunit.

Exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and the risk of congenital malformations: a nationwide cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the relation between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use and major congenital malformations, with focus on malformations of the heart.

DESIGN

Register-based retrospective nationwide cohort study, using the Danish Medical Birth Registry.

SETTING

Denmark.

PARTICIPANTS

Pregnant women in Denmark between 1997 and 2009 and their offspring.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

For each SSRI, ORs for major congenital malformations were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models for women exposed to an SSRI during the first trimester and for women with paused exposure during pregnancy.

RESULTS

The authors identified 848 786 pregnancies; 4183 were exposed to an SSRI throughout the first trimester and 806 pregnancies paused exposure during pregnancy. Risks of congenital malformations of the heart were similar for pregnancies exposed to an SSRI throughout the first trimester, adjusted OR 2.01 (95% CI 1.60 to 2.53), and for pregnancies with paused SSRI treatment during pregnancy, adjusted OR 1.85 (95% CI 1.07 to 3.20), p value for difference: 0.94. The authors found similar increased risks of specific congenital malformations of the heart for the individual SSRIs. Furthermore, the authors found no association with dosage.

CONCLUSIONS

The apparent association between SSRI use and congenital malformations of the heart may be confounded by indications. The moderate absolute risk increase combined with uncertainty for causality still requires the risk versus benefit to be evaluated in each individual case.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in human pregnancy: to treat or not to treat?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are increasingly prescribed during pregnancy. The purpose of the present paper is to summarize and evaluate the current evidence for the risk/benefit analysis of SSRI use in human pregnancy. The literature has been inconsistent. Although most studies have not shown an increase in the overall risk of major malformations, several studies have suggested that SSRIs may be associated with a small increased risk for cardiovascular malformations. Others have noted associations between SSRIs and specific types of rare major malformations. In some studies, there appears to be a small increased risk for miscarriages, which may be associated with the underlying maternal condition. Neonatal effects have been described in up to 30% of neonates exposed to SSRIs late in pregnancy. Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn has also been described with an absolute risk of <1%. The risk associated with treatment discontinuation, for example, higher frequency of relapse and increased risk of preterm delivery, should also be considered. The overall benefit of treatment seems to outweigh the potential risks.

Disturbed sleep, a novel risk factor for preterm birth?

OBJECTIVE

The etiology of preterm birth (PTB) is likely caused by multiple factors, which may include disturbed sleep. We evaluated whether sleep disturbance was associated with PTB and whether the association was affected by other psychosocial risk factors.

METHODS

Pregnant women (n=217) for whom we had depression and sleep data at 20 or 30 weeks gestation and delivery information were evaluated. Logistic models were used to test the hypotheses that disturbed sleep was associated with PTB.

RESULTS

Time in bed at 20 weeks was significantly associated with risk for preterm delivery (odds ratio [OR] 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.88). However, after controlling for depression/selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) status, history of PTB, age, employment, and marital status, this relationship was no longer significant (OR 1.26, 95% CI .92-1.71). No other relationships were significant.

CONCLUSIONS

We report preliminary evidence suggesting that poor sleep may contribute to risk for PTB. Although it is speculative and additional work is needed to confirm or refute whether sleep is an independent or mediating risk factor for PTB, disturbed sleep does appear to play a role in adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Pharmacogenetics of drug-induced birth defects: what is known so far?

A literature review was performed to collect information on the role of pharmacogenetics in six proposed teratogenic mechanisms associated with drug use during pregnancy: folate antagonism, oxidative stress, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and angiotensin II receptor antagonism, cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 inhibition, 5-hydroxytryptamine-reuptake inhibition and drug transporters in the placenta. Data on the direct relationship between pharmacogenetics and drug-induced birth defects were found for folate metabolism, oxidative stress caused by phenytoin exposure and drug transporters in the placenta. Although no specific data to support pharmacogenetic-related birth defects were found for the NSAIDs, paroxetine and fluoxetine, it might be expected that polymorphisms modify their teratogenic effects. The usually low prevalence of drug-induced malformations impedes the demonstration of the contribution of pharmacogenetics. Large-scale studies, preferably case-control studies, are needed.