SSRIs and Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension

In this case-control study, SSRI use late in pregnancy significantly increased risk for PPHN.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a rare condition that characteristically affects full- or near-term infants born without associated congenital anomalies. Even with treatment, PPHN’s mortality rate ranges from 10% to 20%. In this NIH-funded case-control study, conducted at almost 100 institutions in the U.S. and Canada, researchers examined whether maternal use of SSRIs in late pregnancy increases risk for PPHN.

Cases were 377 infants (born in 1998–2003) who met criteria for PPHN, including gestational age greater than 34 weeks, severe respiratory failure after birth, and pulmonary hypertension. Controls were 836 infants who were matched with cases for gestational age, hospital, and date of birth. Mothers reported o…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD