SSRI antidepressants and persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns.

(1) The list of adverse effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants in pregnant women and their newborns continues to grow; (2) It was already known that, when taken towards the end of pregnancy, SSRIs could cause spontaneously resolving neonatal disorders, particularly neurological problems; (3) A case-control study has shown an association between maternal exposure to SSRI antidepressants after the 20th week of pregnancy and neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension, with a 6-fold increase in the risk. Another study has provided similar results; (4) Diagnosis of depression must be made with care during pregnancy, and it should be remembered that not all patients with depression require drug therapy.