Impact of psychotropic drugs in pregnancy on infant's neurobehavioral development I.: Antidepressants
Abstract
Depression is a among the most common severe mental health disorder. It is more prevalent in females of every reproductive age, it occurs in 8-15 % of pregnant women.
Depression itself and its pharmacotherapy can have negative impact on fetus and/or infant. We review current published data on the effects of prenatal exposure to antidepressants on motor, neurocognitive and mental development.
Antidepressants pass through the placenta to the developing fetus and influence the levels of neurotransmitters, which take part in the embryogenesis of central nervous system. However, data available from the studies suggest that antidepressant treatment likely does not have a significant negative impact on psychomotor or cognitive development in exposed children.
Evidence of a potential effect of antidepressants in pregnancy on risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children (ADHD, autistic spectrum disorders) is not consistent, mostly negative. Higher risk for ADHD was found only after bupropione exposure; however, this finding has not been replicated.
Due to the heterogeneity of methods and results of published studies, it cannot be unequivocally concluded whether prenatal exposure to antidepressants has negative neurobehavioral consequences. Nevertheless, it appears that impact of severe untreated depression on infant's behavior and development is more severe.