title: Antenatal maternal antidepressants drugs affect Activin A concentrations in maternal blood, in amniotic fluid and in fetal cord blood.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of antidepressant drugs during pregnancy is rapidly increasing both in Europe and in the USA, with controversial data regarding side-effects on fetus and newborn. We investigated, in pregnant women and in fetal biological fluids whether the concentrations of a brain protein, Activin A, changed in association with the use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a case control study in 24 women treated with SSRIs, matched with 24 healthy pregnancies as controls. Maternal blood (during labor, T1), fetal blood (venous (T2) and arterial [T3] umbilical cord blood) and amniotic fluid (T4) were drawn for standard laboratory assessment and for Activin A measurement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Activin A concentrations in maternal and fetal biological fluids were significantly higher in SSRI users than in the control groups(P < 0.05, for all).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Activin A in maternal and fetal biological fluids is increased after SSRI administration in the third trimester of pregnancy. The present findings open up a new cue for further studies aimed at investigating protein's key role in central nervous system protection/damage in pregnant women using these drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Cesare Arrigo Children's Hospital, Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bellissima
authors.forename: Gerard H A
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Visser
authors.forename: Tessa F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Ververs
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Bel
authors.forename: Jacqueline U M
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Termote
authors.forename: Marja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van der Heide
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Florio
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li Volti
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gazzolo
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D028341:Activins; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; C422405:activin A