Short-term neonatal outcome among term infants after in utero exposure to serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

BACKGROUND

Serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) medications are commonly in use during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate short-term neonatal clinical signs among infants exposed to intrauterine SRI medications, in order to estimate the need for postnatal monitoring and observation.

METHODS

Retrospective review of clinical data in medical files of term infants born to mothers who reported treatment with SRIs during pregnancy.

RESULTS

Out of 401 infants in the study group, 165 (41%) were reported to have at least 1 clinical symptom, including respiratory distress, jitteriness, restlessness, feeding difficulties, regurgitations, fever ≥38°C, a short cyanotic event and convulsions. In the symptomatic group, 70% exhibited mild symptoms, among them restlessness, jitteriness or feeding difficulties, while around 30% exhibited significant symptoms. Overall, 12% of the total cohort, mostly males (70%), presented significant clinical symptoms, but none had an urgent or life-threatening condition. Infants in the study group were shorter in length and had a higher rate of Apgar score <7 at 1 min, meconium-stained amniotic fluid and respiratory distress.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the high incidence of clinical signs among infants born to SRI-treated mothers, most of their symptoms were mild and self-limited. These infants should be observed while they are close to their mothers on the maternity ward for 48 h after birth.