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Infants of mothers who use antidepressants during pregnancy are at significantly higher risk for preterm birth and at increased and risk for peri-natal complications than infants whose mothers did not use these drugs, according to an article in the October, 2007 Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety senior authored by DACP Chairman Richard Platt.. The findings came from an HMO Research Network Study that used data from five large HMOs, including Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. In addition to the higher risk of preterm birth, infants exposed to antidepressants during the third trimester were at increased risk for respiratory problems, endocrine and metabolic disturbances, hypoglycemia, convulsions, and temperature regulation disorders. Approximately 10-20% of pregnant woman suffer from depression during pregnancy and up to four percent of women use antidepressants during pregnancy. The results of this study indicate that antidepressant use during pregnancy should be carefully managed and the infants born to these mothers should be carefully monitored for postpartum complications. Click here for abstract.
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