Neonates born to mothers using antidepressant drugs

Abstract

Depression is a pathological condition frequently observed during pregnancy. It has been estimated that depression and other mood disorders may affect up to 20% of pregnant women [1], and the importance of adequately treating depression during pregnancy is currently well-recognised. Several pharmacological therapeutic options are currently available: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs); noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSAs) or tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs); and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) have largely replaced older tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Fetal exposure to maternal antidepressant drugs occurs both via placental and amniotic fluid passage [2], and evaluation of safety of antidepressants use during pregnancy, with a focus on teratogenic potential and neonatal complications, has recently become the objective of several studies.