Major depression and antidepressant treatment: impact on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use during pregnancy incurs a low absolute risk for major malformations; however, other adverse outcomes have been reported. Major depression also affects reproductive outcomes. This study examined whether 1) minor physical anomalies, 2) maternal weight gain and infant birth weight, 3) preterm birth, and 4) neonatal adaptation are affected by SSRI or depression exposure.


METHODS
This prospective observational investigation included maternal assessments at 20, 30, and 36 weeks of gestation. Neonatal outcomes were obtained by blinded review of delivery records and infant examinations. Pregnant women (N=238) were categorized into three mutually exclusive exposure groups: 1) no SSRI, no depression (N=131); 2) SSRI exposure (N=71), either continuous (N=48) or partial (N=23); and 3) major depressive disorder (N=36), either continuous (N=14) or partial (N=22). The mean depressive symptom level of the group with continuous depression and no SSRI exposure was significantly greater than for all other groups, demonstrating the expected treatment effect of SSRIs. Main outcomes were minor physical anomalies, maternal weight gain, infant birth weight, pregnancy duration, and neonatal characteristics.


RESULTS
Infants exposed to either SSRIs or depression continuously across gestation were more likely to be born preterm than infants with partial or no exposure. Neither SSRI nor depression exposure increased risk for minor physical anomalies or reduced maternal weight gain. Mean infant birth weights were equivalent. Other neonatal outcomes were similar, except 5-minute Apgar scores.


CONCLUSIONS
For depressed pregnant women, both continuous SSRI exposure and continuous untreated depression were associated with preterm birth rates exceeding 20%.
Wisner
Katherine L
KL
Women's Behavioral HealthCARE and the Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3811 O'Hara St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. wisnerkl@upmc.edu
Sit
Dorothy K Y
DK
Hanusa
Barbara H
BH
Moses-Kolko
Eydie L
EL
Bogen
Debra L
DL
Hunker
Diane F
DF
Perel
James M
JM
Jones-Ivy
Sonya
S
Bodnar
Lisa M
LM
Singer
Lynn T
LT
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015430:Weight Gain; D055815:Young Adult
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors