Birth weight of infants after maternal exposure to typical and atypical antipsychotics: prospective comparison study.
BACKGROUND
The effects of in utero exposure to atypical antipsychotics on infant birth weight are unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether atypical and typical antipsychotics differ in their effects on birth weight after maternal exposure during pregnancy.


METHODS
Prospective data on gestational age and birth weight collected by the National Teratology Information Service for infants exposed to typical (n=45) and atypical (n=25) antipsychotics was compared with data for a reference group of infants (n=38).


RESULTS
Infants exposed to atypical antipsychotics had a significantly higher incidence of large for gestational age (LGA) than both comparison groups and a mean birth weight significantly heavier than those exposed to typical antipsychotics. In contrast those exposed to typical antipsychotics had a significantly lower mean birth weight and a higher incidence of small for gestational age infants than the reference group.


CONCLUSIONS
In utero exposure to atypical antipsychotic drugs may increase infant birth weight and risk of LGA.
Newham
James J
JJ
University of Newcastle, Leazes Wing, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. R.H.McAllister-Williams@ncl.ac.uk
Thomas
Simon H
SH
MacRitchie
Karine
K
McElhatton
Patricia R
PR
McAllister-Williams
R Hamish
RH
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003024:Clozapine; D000077152:Olanzapine