Abstract
Depression and the use of antidepressants during pregnancy may have a negative influence on fetal development as well as adaptation during the neonatal period. The aim of our study was to elicit the effect of antidepressant use during pregnancy on postnatal adaptation and the incidence of congenital abnormalities.
In a cohort of forty two antidepressant using mothers, a higher incidence of prematurity and hyperbilirubinemia was found. Furthermore children had smaller head circumferences (p < 0.05), and discontinuation syndrome was diagnosed in 26 % (2 children had seizures), only 52 % were fully breast-fed. 12 % of children had a non-serious congenital abnormality.
Further studies are needed to ascertain the long-term developmental and cognitive effects of in utero exposure to antidepressant agents.