title: Prenatal SSRI exposure: Effects on later child development.
abstract: The aim of this review is to integrate research on the pharmacological mechanisms of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the following effects on fetal brain development and child cognitive function seen in children with prenatal exposure to SSRIs. As antidepressants are transferred from the mother to the fetus through the placenta, the fetus is vulnerable to alterations in neurotransmission and possibly altered neural functioning. Because of this risk, pregnant women suffering from depression are often advised to discontinue their use of antidepressants during pregnancy. Though, maternal untreated depression may also have negative consequences for the fetus and child after birth. In the present review, we find a distinction between studies of early versus late development. Studies on early cognitive development indicate no negative effects, while studies on later development report some cognitive difficulties and behavioral problems, indicating latent effects of exposure. However, the reviewed studies are not all converging, and it is not clear whether and to what extent prenatal SSRI exposure affects cognitive development.
authors.affiliation: a The Cognitive Developmental Research Unit, Department of Psychology , University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Tone Kristine
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Hermansen
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Melinder
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
keywords: Cognition; Depression; HPA; Prenatal exposure; SSRI