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SSRIs taken during pregnancy associated with fewer depressive symptoms, reduced fetal head growth
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Pregnant women using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for depression have been shown to have fewer depressive symptoms. Research published in the Archives of General Psychiatry demonstrates that the use of these drugs during pregnancy is associated with reduced fetal head growth and a higher risk for preterm birth, but not with a delay in fetal body growth.
Untreated, however, depressive symptoms during pregnancy may be associated with a delay in fetal body growth.
The study included 7,696 pregnant women. Participants reported use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on questionnaires each trimester; use was verified by pharmacy records. Depressive symptoms were assessed using scores from the Brief Symptom Inventory. Of all participants, 91.3% (7,027 participants) had no or low depressive symptoms, 7.4% (570 participants) had clinically relevant depressive symptoms and did not use SSRIs and 1.3% (99 participants) used SSRIs.
Researchers used fetal ultrasonography to determine fetal body and head growth. Preterm birth, small for gestational age and low birth weight were assessed as birth outcomes.
“Untreated depressive symptoms were associated with a reduction in total body growth, including the fetal head, during pregnancy,” researchers wrote. “In contrast, prenatal SSRI use was related to a reduced growth of the fetal head, whereas prenatal SSRI use did not affect growth of the fetal body.”
According to the researchers, the results add to the knowledge about the use and nonuse of SSRIs, but the results are not conclusive.
Disclosure: The study was supported by a grant from the Sophia Children’s Hospital Foundation. The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.