Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Pregnancy: An Updated Review on Risks to Mother, Fetus, and Child

Purpose of Review To provide an updated summary and appraisal of work from 2019 to 2022 examining risks of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use in pregnancy. Recent Findings Perinatal SSRI exposure does not increase risk of major malformations or gestational diabetes after accounting for underlying maternal illness. SSRIs are associated with small increase in risk of pre-eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, preterm delivery, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and neonatal intensive care unit admissions, though absolute risk of these outcomes is low. While data suggests no increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring, mixed evidence indicates increased risk of adverse cognitive outcomes and affective disorders. Summary Recent evidence suggest low absolute risk of clinically relevant negative outcomes with perinatal SSRI exposure when compared to untreated perinatal depression. However, study design and ability to control for confounding remains an ongoing research challenge, highlighting need for ongoing rigorous study design and analysis.