Sertraline

There are numerous studies that have examined a large number of pregnant women taking sertraline. The current data does not indicate that the risk of malformation exceeds the background risk of 3-5%. A few studies reported a very small increase in the risk of heart defects, but other studies were unable to confirm this. A slight risk of pulmonary hypertension (a severe lung disease) in newborns, when sertraline was taken after the 20th week of pregnancy, was observed in some studies but was also not confirmed in other studies. Taking sertraline until delivery can lead to adaptation disorders and withdrawl symptoms in the newborn (e.g. sedation, dyspnea, hypotension, irritability, restlessness, seizures.. ). While these symptoms are mild and limited in most cases, some babies may need special treatment for several days. The majority of babies whose mothers took sertraline during pregnancy do not show any of these symptoms. The baby’s brain develops throughout pregnancy. It is therefore possible that taking certain medicines during pregnancy can have a lasting influence on the child’s learning or behaviour. Analysis of available data has not revealed a causal link between taking antidepressants during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders or ADHD. However, there are some studies that did show a possible connection, but the individual risk was very low and may be a result of other factors including the illness of the mother.

To further enhance your understanding of this topic, we recommend exploring the articles "Medication for the treatment of bulimia during pregnancy" and "Antidepressants while trying to conceive" as additional resources.