Abstract
Depression during pregnancy affects 10–20% of pregnant women and can have detrimental effects (short and long term) for the mother, fetus and family. The use of antidepressants during pregnancy has been the subject of much debate. Recent data suggest a possible risk to the fetus with maternal use of antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been associated with congenital malformations, negative pregnancy outcomes, neonatal behavioral symptoms and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Women with depression tend to discontinue their medication when trying to conceive or upon discovering they are pregnant, placing themselves at increased risk of recurrence of their affective illness. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to understand the risks and benefits of antidepressant use during pregnancy in order to appropriately counsel women. The purpose of this article is to review updated information regarding the use of antidepressants during pregnancy.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.