Abstract
Pregnancy and the postpartum period are high risk periods for (recurrence of) depressive episodes (incidence 10–12%), in particular in patients with pre-existing depressive disorders [1]. Use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) is increasing among women of childbearing age with known depression [2, 3]. Of the women who discontinue their antidepressant treatment prior to conception, 68% experience a relapse during their pregnancy [4]. Continuing this medication during pregnancy can be essential for the wellbeing of both mother and child [5–8]. However, foetal exposure to potentially harmful medication should be minimized. Venlafaxine and its active metabolite O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) are potent SNRIs. Exposure to venlafaxine during the third trimester of pregnancy carries a risk of approximately 30% for neonatal abstinence syndrome [9, 10] We present the first case of neonatal seizures after intra-uterine exposure to venlafaxine, in which epileptiform activity was documented with electroencephalography (EEG).
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