Abstract
The use of antidepressant drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), during pregnancy is rapidly increasing. To date, the effects of SSRI on pregnant women and fetuses are controversial and still a matter of debate. Although a number of studies have shown that these antidepressants are not teratogenic, some of them have reported an increase of congenital malformations after antenatal exposure to SSRIs. Moreover, fetal behavior is affected by these drugs, 30% of infants suffer from neonatal withdrawal symptoms and long term sequelae have not yet been excluded. Since there are no clear guidelines for SSRI treatment in pregnancy, potential risks must be balanced against the effects of untreated maternal depression. Treatment with SSRIs before and during pregnancy should only be considered in case of real necessity. Milder forms of depression should be treated with alternative methods. In this paper we have reviewed the literature on effects of SSRIs on embryonic, fetal and infant development.
Keywords: SSRI, depression, pregnancy, fetus, newborn, teratogenic effect, Serotonin, antidepressant, antenatal exposure, embryonic.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Pregnancy
Volume: 19 Issue: 27
Author(s): V. Bellissima, T. F.F. Ververs, G. H.A.Visser and D. Gazzolo
Affiliation:
Keywords: SSRI, depression, pregnancy, fetus, newborn, teratogenic effect, Serotonin, antidepressant, antenatal exposure, embryonic.
Abstract: The use of antidepressant drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), during pregnancy is rapidly increasing. To date, the effects of SSRI on pregnant women and fetuses are controversial and still a matter of debate. Although a number of studies have shown that these antidepressants are not teratogenic, some of them have reported an increase of congenital malformations after antenatal exposure to SSRIs. Moreover, fetal behavior is affected by these drugs, 30% of infants suffer from neonatal withdrawal symptoms and long term sequelae have not yet been excluded. Since there are no clear guidelines for SSRI treatment in pregnancy, potential risks must be balanced against the effects of untreated maternal depression. Treatment with SSRIs before and during pregnancy should only be considered in case of real necessity. Milder forms of depression should be treated with alternative methods. In this paper we have reviewed the literature on effects of SSRIs on embryonic, fetal and infant development.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Bellissima V., F.F. Ververs T., H.A.Visser G. and Gazzolo D., Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Pregnancy, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2012; 19 (27) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986712803306349
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986712803306349 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Radioligands for the Angiotensin II Subtype 1 (AT1) Receptor
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Clinical Approach to Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: A Review of Human Studies
Current Medicinal Chemistry GRK2 at the Control Shaft of Cellular Metabolism
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Pentacyclic Triterpenoids in Herbal Medicines and Their Pharmacological Activities in Diabetes and Diabetic Complications
Current Medicinal Chemistry Antiplatelet Therapy in Children: Why So Different from Adults’?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Bcl-2 Family Proteins Regulate Apoptosis and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition by Calcium Signals
Current Pharmaceutical Design Drugs Targeting the Canonical NF-κB Pathway to Treat Viral and Autoimmune Myocarditis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Delivery of Large Genomic DNA Inserts > 100 kb Using HSV-1 Amplicons
Current Gene Therapy Pharmacogenomics of the Human ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter ABCG2
Current Pharmacogenomics Restoration of Cardiomyocyte Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats after Treatment with Vanadate in a Tea Decoction
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Adiponectin and its Role in Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Myocardial Regeneration: What is the Best Approach?
Current Cardiology Reviews Biological Activities of Receptor-interacting Protein 140 in Adipocytes and Metabolic Diseases
Current Diabetes Reviews Anti-infective and Antineoplastic Properties of Green Tea Catechins: Examining the Therapeutic Risk-benefit Ratio
Current Nutraceuticals RNA Splicing Manipulation: Strategies to Modify Gene Expression for a Variety of Therapeutic Outcomes
Current Gene Therapy Relationship Between Cigarette Smoking and Other Coronary Risk Factors in Atherosclerosis: Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Preventive Measures
Current Pharmaceutical Design Methadone and the Heart: What the Clinician Needs to Know
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Radioprotective Effects of Plants from the Lamiaceae Family
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Obesity, Diabetes and Atrial Fibrillation; Epidemiology, Mechanisms and Interventions
Current Cardiology Reviews Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells: A Novel Regulator of Vascular Disease
Current Cardiology Reviews