The Journal of the American Medical Association, the New England Journal of Medicine and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have confirmed that use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant, in late pregnancy can cause cognitive and developmental deficits in children.
Specifically, use of SSRIs is linked to the development of a breathing disorder called Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns, or PPHN.
Initial symptoms of PPHN usually show up within a few days of birth, the most serious of which includes extreme difficulty breathing. While PPHN does require babies to be hospitalized, it does appear to be treatable in the short-term. However, PPHN can have a lasting impact, including lifelong developmental delays and cognitive defects.
SSRIs include: Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac, Celexa and more.
Visit Simmons Hanly Conroy SSRI practice area for more information about the risks.
