Is there a correlation between venlafaxine therapy during pregnancy and a higher incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis?
BACKGROUND
Novel antidepressant drugs are increasingly used by women of child bearing age. However, potentially harmful effects on fetus and newborn remain unknown.


METHODS
Case report and literature review.


RESULTS
We present preterm twins whose mother was treated with venlafaxine, a nonselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, throughout pregnancy until delivery. The twins developed neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.


CONCLUSIONS
The question whether there might be a correlation between maternal serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis is discussed.
Treichel
Markus
M
Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.
Schwendener Scholl
Katharina
K
Kessler
Ulf
U
Joeris
Alexander
A
Nelle
Mathias
M
D003082:Colectomy; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014427:Twins; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride