SSRI Use Raises Risk of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn
FROM BMJ
Of the infants with PPHN, 3 of the 33 infants (9%) who were exposed to SSRIs in late pregnancy died, as did 183 (9.5%) of the 1,935 who were never exposed to SSRIs. Among the 63,615 women with a previous admission to hospital for a psychiatric disorder, 114 (1.8%) infants had a diagnosis of PPHN.
The risk estimates of PPHN after exposure to fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline, or paroxetine in late pregnancy ranged from 2 to 3. While the risk estimate for escitalopram was lower, this number was imprecise. No infants with PPHN had been exposed to fluvoxamine. "Exposure to the other antidepressants with an effect on serotonin activity or norepinephrine activity also generated increased risks," Dr. Kieler and her associates wrote.
Risks for PPHN were only slightly increased in association with exposure to SSRI in early pregnancy only. Exposure to the other antidepressants with an effect on serotonin activity or norepinephrine activity did not increase the risk of PPHN in early pregnancy only.
After exclusion of infants with meconium aspiration, the risk estimates increased slightly, they said.
This study was funded by the Swedish Pharmacy Company. The authors reported that they had no relevant financial disclosures.
