[Intrauterine exposure to SSRIs: no reason for routine hypoglycaemia screening].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether neonates who have been exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in utero have a higher risk of hypoglycaemia than unexposed neonates.


METHODS
Systematic review of cohort studies.


METHODS
We searched in PubMed and Embase for available cohort studies in which neonates exposed to SSRIs in utero were compared to non-exposed neonates, with hypoglycaemia as an outcome parameter. The studies were evaluated with respect to methodological quality by applying the 'Guidelines for assessing quality in prognostic studies' (QUIPS). The results were noted qualitatively.


RESULTS
We found 4 studies that were suitable for further analysis. The studies were similar in design but led to very variable results. Important confounders differed greatly between studies and were not corrected for. Therefore, with these studies no answer could be given to the research question.


CONCLUSIONS
The literature does not contain enough evidence to conclude that neonates exposed to SSRIs during pregnancy have a higher risk of developing hypoglycaemia than non-exposed neonates. Only when a neonate shows clinical signs that can be attributed to both hypoglycaemia and withdrawal symptoms a single glucose check is indicated.
Sint Lucas Andreas Ziekenhuis, POP-expertisecentrum (Psychiatrie, Obstetrie en Pediatrie), Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Joris J
JJ
van Driel
J Hanneke M B
JH
Wennink
Marion H B
MH
Heres
Adriaan
A
Honig
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008403:Mass Screening; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors