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Making Sense Out of the Controversy: Use of SSRIs in Pregnancy

  • High-risk Gestation and Prenatal Medicine (E Norwitz, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Perinatal depression complicates up to 20 % of all pregnancies. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs have become the first-line treatment of depressive symptoms during pregnancy. About 7.5 % of all pregnancies are currently exposed to psychotropic medications. Recent studies suggest the SSRI medications may have some detrimental effects in pregnancy, including a possible increased risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, clubfoot, heart defects, brain and craniofacial abnormalities, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, neonatal seizures, low neonatal Apgar score, as well as neurodevelopmental and behavioral changes. Patients and healthcare providers should take into consideration all the possible known negative effects of untreated depression during pregnancy, but also the possible fetal risks associated with the use of SSRIs.

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  1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, 119 Belmont Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA

    Marcus V. Ortega-Alves

  2. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Adam Urato

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Ortega-Alves, M.V., Urato, A. Making Sense Out of the Controversy: Use of SSRIs in Pregnancy. Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep 5, 225–233 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-016-0173-z

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