A new Danish study suggests that discontinuing antidepressant medications during pregnancy could potentially reduce the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), a serious lung condition. However, researchers emphasize that the potential benefits of stopping antidepressants must be weighed against the risks posed by untreated maternal depression, which can have significant effects on both the mother and the baby.
The study, titled “Antidepressant Exposure Patterns During Pregnancy and Risk of Adverse Newborn Outcomes,” was published in Psychiatry Research. PPHN occurs when a newborn’s lung arteries remain constricted after birth, limiting oxygen flow. Various factors, including infections and heart defects, contribute to PPHN, but the study specifically examined the impact of antidepressant use during pregnancy on this condition.
Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety. Depression during pregnancy is a widespread issue, affecting approximately 25% of women. While untreated depression can lead to complications like preterm birth or low birth weight, continuing antidepressant use may also present risks such as spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, congenital heart defects, and PPHN.
The study followed 33,776 singleton pregnancies in Denmark between January 1997 and December 2016, using data from the Danish Medical Birth Registry. Researchers tracked mothers who had filled at least one prescription for antidepressants within six months prior to pregnancy. They focused on whether discontinuing or continuing antidepressant treatment during pregnancy had an effect on PPHN risk, hospitalization, and congenital heart defects.
Notably, the study found that stopping the SSRI citalopram during pregnancy was associated with a significant reduction in both PPHN risk and hospitalization. Specifically, mothers who discontinued citalopram had a 65% lower risk of their newborn developing PPHN compared to those who continued the medication. Additionally, discontinuing citalopram was linked to a 14% lower risk of hospitalization.
While the study suggests a potential decrease in PPHN and hospitalization risk associated with stopping antidepressants, the researchers cautioned that the observed risk for PPHN was relatively small—about 5.4 cases per 1,000 pregnancies exposed to antidepressants. They stressed that the clinical significance of this association is limited.
For women with major depression, the researchers noted, the benefits of continuing antidepressant treatment likely outweigh the potential risks. The decision to stop or continue medication during pregnancy is a complex one, with some women opting to discontinue medication due to symptom improvement, while others may decide to continue treatment to prevent a relapse of depression.
The authors of the study called for further research to confirm these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms that could explain the observed effects of antidepressant use during pregnancy.
Related topics:
Understanding Male Infertility and How IVF Can Help
Reproductive Rights Take Center Stage in Senate Debate Over IVF Legislation
Should Women Freeze Their Eggs in Their 20s or 30s? Experts Weigh In
