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Fetal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has been connected to preterm birth, lower birth weight, cardiac defects, and a neonatal adaptation syndrome, in some cases including seizures. These researchers retrospectively examined associations between antidepressant prescriptions in each trimester and adverse pregnancy outcomes in a large Tennessee Medicaid population.
Of 228,876 women with singleton pregnancies (age range, 15–44), 5.9% had a depression diagnosis, 10.2% filled a prescription for antidepressants prior to pregnancy, and 2.8% started antidepressants during pregnancy. Only 0.9% filled antidepressants before and throughout pregnancy. Of those with pre-pregnancy prescriptions, 75% discontinued use before or d…