{"product_id":"understanding-the-heart-risks-antidepressant-use-during-pregnancy-and-congenital-heart-disease-in-newborns","title":"Understanding the Heart Risks: Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy and Congenital Heart Disease in Newborns","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSummary:\u003c\/strong\u003e Researchers studied 40 pregnant women who took antidepressant medications during pregnancy and underwent fetal echocardiograms at Children's Hospital of New Orleans between 2009 and 2014. They found congenital heart disease in 18% of the fetuses—a rate far higher than the 1% seen in the general population. Specific heart defects were associated with exposure to fluoxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, and venlafaxine. The researchers conclude that while antidepressant use during pregnancy carries a possible risk of heart defects, careful risk-benefit analysis remains essential when making treatment decisions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch1\u003eUnderstanding the Heart Risks: Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy and Congenital Heart Disease in Newborns\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#ddn-key-points\"\u003eKey Points\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#why-this-matters\"\u003eWhy This Research Matters\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#background\"\u003eBackground: Depression and Antidepressant Use in Pregnancy\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#methods\"\u003eHow the Study Was Conducted\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#findings\"\u003eKey Findings: Heart Abnormalities Detected\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#implications\"\u003eWhat These Findings Mean for Patients\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#limitations\"\u003eStudy Limitations\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#recommendations\"\u003eRecommendations for Patients\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#ddn-faq\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#source\"\u003eSource Information\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- ddn:keypoints:start --\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"ddn-key-points\"\u003eKey Points\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn 40 pregnancies with antidepressant exposure, fetal echocardiography found congenital heart disease in 18%, versus about 1% in the general population.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecific heart defects were linked to fluoxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, and venlafaxine; sertraline, paroxetine, bupropion, and duloxetine had no observed defects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll fetal echocardiogram findings were confirmed by postnatal echocardiograms, and two independent cardiologists agreed on every case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe study was retrospective, single-center, and small, so it cannot prove cause and effect or give definitive risk rates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWomen taking SSRIs or SNRIs during pregnancy should have a careful risk-benefit discussion with their healthcare provider and consider fetal echocardiography monitoring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- ddn:keypoints:end --\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"why-this-matters\"\u003eWhy This Research Matters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDepression during pregnancy is a major health care problem. Approximately 10 to 20 percent of women experience depression during their pregnancy. Untreated depression can harm both mother and baby, which is why many doctors prescribe antidepressant medications to pregnant women.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) have become the mainstay of drug treatment for maternal depression during pregnancy. However, whether these medications pose risks to the developing fetus has remained an open question.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePrevious research has shown that antidepressants can cross the placenta from mother to baby. Fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa) have the highest ratio of umbilical vein-to-maternal serum concentration, meaning they pass most easily from mother to fetus. Sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) have the lowest ratio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis study addresses an important question that has not been well studied: is prenatal exposure to antidepressants associated with congenital heart disease (CHD)—structural heart problems present at birth? Prior studies have documented various adverse outcomes in babies exposed to antidepressants, including gestational hypertension, reduced birth weight, altered neonatal pain responses, and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. But few longitudinal studies have specifically examined the link between antidepressants and heart defects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe researchers set out to examine the risk for congenital heart disease in fetuses exposed to SSRIs and SNRIs, using fetal echocardiography (ultrasound imaging of the baby's heart) to look for abnormalities before birth—and then verifying those findings after birth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"background\"\u003eBackground: Depression and Antidepressant Use in Pregnancy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe use of antidepressant medications during pregnancy has increased steadily over the years, with a reported prevalence of 8 to 13% in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies most SSRIs and SNRIs as class C, meaning animal studies have shown a potential risk to the fetus and there are no adequate human studies. Paroxetine (Paxil) is classified as class D, indicating evidence of human fetal risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe official report from the American Psychiatric Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that serotonin reuptake inhibitor use during pregnancy has been associated with miscarriages, premature and\/or low birth weight infants, and fetal malformations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKnown risks of SSRI exposure for newborns include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePrematurity (babies born too early)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLow birth weight\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePersistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (a serious condition where a newborn's circulation does not adapt to breathing after birth)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDecreased Apgar scores (a quick assessment of a newborn's health taken shortly after birth)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIncreased admissions to neonatal intensive care or special care nurseries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThird-trimester exposure specifically increases the risk of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRespiratory distress syndrome (difficulty breathing)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFeeding difficulties\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eHyperbilirubinemia (jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNeonatal convulsions (seizures in newborns)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, women with depression who take SSRIs have a higher incidence of preterm birth compared to women with depression who do not take SSRIs. Several studies have reported that paroxetine exposure during the first trimester is associated with fetal cardiac abnormalities, including septal defects (holes in the walls between the heart's chambers), right ventricular outflow tract obstruction defects, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction defects, and conotruncal abnormalities (defects affecting the large blood vessels leaving the heart). These findings, however, have not been reproduced in larger prospective trials. Another report has indicated that using SSRIs together with benzodiazepines during pregnancy may increase the risk of cardiac maldevelopment compared to SSRIs alone. Other studies suggest an increased risk of pulmonary hypertension in newborns when SSRIs are used during the third trimester.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"methods\"\u003eHow the Study Was Conducted\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe research team conducted a retrospective review of medical records at Children's Hospital of New Orleans. They identified all pregnant women who underwent fetal echocardiography between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2014, because of in-utero exposure to either SSRIs or SNRIs—a total of 40 women.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWomen were excluded from the study if:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThey themselves had a known congenital heart defect or a genetic abnormality\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThey were taking benzodiazepines or tricyclic antidepressant medications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor each woman included, the researchers recorded the mother's age, the specific antidepressant medication(s) being used, the gestational age at the time of the fetal echocardiogram, and the echocardiographic findings. Two experienced fetal cardiologists independently reviewed each echocardiogram, and each was blinded to the other's findings—meaning neither doctor knew what the other had concluded, which reduces the chance of bias. The study was approved by the institutional review board of Louisiana State University Health Science Center in New Orleans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the babies were born, the cardiac abnormalities that had been diagnosed in utero were confirmed with postnatal transthoracic echocardiograms (ultrasound studies of the heart performed through the chest wall). This confirmation step is a major strength of the study design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"findings\"\u003eKey Findings: Heart Abnormalities Detected\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA total of 40 pregnant women with prenatal exposure to SSRIs or SNRIs were identified. The breakdown of their medications was as follows:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e31 women (77.5%)\u003c\/strong\u003e were taking SSRIs\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6 women (15%)\u003c\/strong\u003e were taking SNRIs\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e3 women (7.5%)\u003c\/strong\u003e were taking a combination of drugs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the 31 women on SSRIs:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e5 were on citalopram (Celexa)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e9 were on escitalopram (Lexapro)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e9 were on fluoxetine (Prozac)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e7 were on sertraline (Zoloft)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 was on paroxetine (Paxil)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the 6 women on SNRIs:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2 were on venlafaxine (Effexor)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e3 were on bupropion (Wellbutrin)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 was on duloxetine (Cymbalta)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 3 women on combination therapy were taking: fluoxetine plus bupropion, sertraline plus paroxetine, and venlafaxine plus bupropion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOf the 40 fetuses, \u003cstrong\u003e7 (18%) were found to have congenital heart disease\u003c\/strong\u003e. For context, the incidence of CHD in the general population is about \u003cstrong\u003e1%\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBroken down by medication class:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e5 out of 31 women (16%)\u003c\/strong\u003e on SSRIs had fetuses with cardiac abnormalities\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2 out of 6 women (33%)\u003c\/strong\u003e on SNRIs had fetuses with cardiac abnormalities\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNone\u003c\/strong\u003e of the 3 women on combination drugs had a fetus with CHD\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe specific heart defects found, arranged by medication, were:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003col\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFluoxetine (2 cases):\u003c\/strong\u003e Two fetuses, at 19 and 19.5 weeks of gestation, were found to have a large posteriorly malaligned ventricular septal defect (VSD—a hole in the wall between the heart's lower chambers), sub-aortic stenosis (narrowing below the aortic valve), and critical coarctation of the aorta (a severe narrowing of the main artery leaving the heart). These are major heart defects that require cardiac surgery.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCitalopram (2 cases):\u003c\/strong\u003e One fetus at 25 weeks of gestation had a moderate-size mid-muscular VSD. Another fetus at 23.5 weeks had a moderate-size secundum atrial septal defect (ASD—a hole in the wall between the heart's upper chambers).\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVenlafaxine (2 cases):\u003c\/strong\u003e One fetus at 33.5 weeks had constriction of the ductus arteriosus (a blood vessel that normally closes shortly after birth), with a ductal Doppler flow velocity of 2.38 m\/sec (about 2.4 m\/sec)—indicating increased blood flow speed through the narrowed vessel. Another fetus at 27 weeks was found to have two mid-muscular VSDs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEscitalopram (1 case):\u003c\/strong\u003e One fetus at 28.3 weeks had a large membranous VSD, a secundum ASD, and a left superior vena cava (an anatomical variant involving an extra vein in the chest).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBoth fetal cardiologists independently reviewed the studies and arrived at the same conclusions in every case. Moreover, all cardiac abnormalities diagnosed before birth were confirmed after birth by postnatal transthoracic echocardiogram.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLooking at the severity of the findings: \u003cstrong\u003etwo fetuses were diagnosed with major congenital heart defects that required cardiac surgery during the newborn period\u003c\/strong\u003e. Four other fetuses were diagnosed with septal defects (ASDs and VSDs). One fetus was diagnosed with ductal constriction secondary to venlafaxine—an SNRI not previously known to have direct cardiac effects. Importantly, this fetus had not been exposed to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are a known cause of ductal constriction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTo put these numbers in perspective, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the general population occurrence of these defects is:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAtrial septal defect: 13 per 10,000 children\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eVentricular septal defect: 42 per 10,000 children\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCoarctation of the aorta: 4 per 10,000 children\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors also compared their findings with earlier research. A meta-analysis conducted by Myles and colleagues did not find any congenital malformations in mothers who took citalopram during pregnancy—yet in this study, citalopram was associated with septal defects in two cases. This discrepancy is worth noting. The study did not find any CHD in the single woman taking paroxetine, but with only one woman exposed to the drug, no meaningful conclusion can be drawn. In several other studies, paroxetine has been consistently associated with CHD—a concern that led the FDA to issue a public health advisory about its use in the first trimester in 2005. Fluoxetine was associated with cardiac malformations in this study, which is consistent with previous research findings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"implications\"\u003eWhat These Findings Mean for Patients\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of the first studies to provide detailed echocardiographic evidence of heart abnormalities in fetuses exposed to specific antidepressants, verified after birth. The rate of CHD in the study group (18%) is strikingly higher than the general population rate (1%). However, because of the small sample size, these numbers should be interpreted with caution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe findings highlight several important points:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe risk of CHD is not identical across all antidepressants. Fluoxetine and escitalopram were associated with more severe defects, while citalopram-associated defects were moderate in size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEven medications not previously linked to direct cardiac effects, such as venlafaxine, can cause complications like ductal constriction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe comparison group here is the general population, not women with untreated depression. Depression itself can affect pregnancy outcomes, so it remains unclear whether the risk comes from the medication, the depression itself, or a combination of both.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIn every case, the fetal echocardiogram findings matched what was confirmed after birth—which strengthens confidence in fetal echocardiography as a diagnostic tool for detecting these conditions during pregnancy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and are taking antidepressants, these findings reinforce the need for a thorough, informed discussion with their healthcare providers about the risks and benefits of continuing or changing treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"limitations\"\u003eStudy Limitations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLike most other epidemiological studies, this one had both strengths and limitations. The authors were transparent about these.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLimitations included:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRetrospective design:\u003c\/strong\u003e The study looked back at medical records rather than following patients forward in time, which means it cannot establish cause and effect.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSingle-center study:\u003c\/strong\u003e All patients came from one institution (Children's Hospital of New Orleans), which may limit how well the findings apply to other populations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmall sample size:\u003c\/strong\u003e With only 40 women, and even smaller numbers taking each individual medication, the results are not statistically definitive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo accounting for other medications:\u003c\/strong\u003e The study did not consider maternal use of other medications, such as anti-seizure medications or oral hypoglycemics (diabetes medications), which could independently affect the risk of CHD.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo family history review:\u003c\/strong\u003e The researchers did not review whether the mothers had other children with congenital heart disease, which is relevant since CHD can run in families.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eStrengths of the study included:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConfirmed medication use:\u003c\/strong\u003e Antidepressant use was confirmed through chart reviews rather than self-reported telephone interviews, reducing the risk of inaccurate reporting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePostnatal confirmation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Every fetal echocardiographic finding was verified after birth with a postnatal echocardiogram.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIndependent review:\u003c\/strong\u003e All echocardiographic findings were read by two independent fetal cardiologists blinded to each other's assessments, reducing interpretation bias.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"recommendations\"\u003eRecommendations for Patients\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe study authors emphasize that this research does not mean antidepressants should never be used during pregnancy. Untreated depression carries serious risks for both mother and baby, and abruptly stopping medication can also be harmful. Instead, they recommend the following:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003col\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHave a careful risk-benefit discussion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Talk openly with your healthcare provider about the risks of the medication versus the risks of untreated depression in your specific situation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAsk about monitoring:\u003c\/strong\u003e If you are taking an SSRI or SNRI during pregnancy, ask your obstetrician whether a fetal echocardiogram should be considered to check on the baby's heart development.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeek coordinated care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Involve your obstetrician, psychiatrist, and—if needed—a pediatric cardiologist in your care plan so that all aspects of your health and your baby's health are addressed together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDo not stop medications without medical advice:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suddenly stopping antidepressants can lead to withdrawal symptoms and worsening depression. Any changes to medication should be made in consultation with your healthcare team.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStay informed:\u003c\/strong\u003e The authors call for prospective, long-term safety studies—research that follows women and their children over many years—before firm conclusions can be drawn about the safety of individual antidepressants in pregnancy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors' final takeaway: there is a possible association between congenital heart disease and prenatal exposure to SSRIs or SNRIs. Until we have prospective long-term safety studies, careful risk-benefit analysis needs to be applied when considering the use of SSRIs or SNRIs during pregnancy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- ddn:faq:start --\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"ddn-faq\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat did the study find about antidepressant use during pregnancy and heart defects?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a study of 40 pregnant women taking SSRIs or SNRIs, fetal echocardiography found congenital heart disease in 18% of fetuses, much higher than the 1% rate in the general population. Specific defects were linked to fluoxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, and venlafaxine. Because the group was small, the findings need cautious interpretation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow was the study conducted?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResearchers reviewed medical records of 40 pregnant women who took SSRIs or SNRIs and had fetal echocardiograms between 2009 and 2014 at one hospital. Two fetal cardiologists independently reviewed each echocardiogram, and all abnormalities found before birth were confirmed with postnatal echocardiograms after delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat were the limitations of this study?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study was retrospective, single-center, and had a small sample size of only 40 women. It did not account for other medications or family history of heart defects. Because of these limitations, the findings cannot prove cause and effect, and results may not apply to all populations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShould I stop taking my antidepressant if I'm pregnant or planning to become pregnant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The study authors emphasize that untreated depression carries serious risks for both mother and baby, and abruptly stopping medication can be harmful. They recommend a careful risk-benefit discussion with your healthcare provider about your specific situation, and never stopping medication without medical advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat should I do if I take an SSRI or SNRI during pregnancy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study authors suggest asking your obstetrician whether a fetal echocardiogram should be considered to check the baby's heart development. Involve your obstetrician, psychiatrist, and if needed, a pediatric cardiologist in coordinated care. Stay informed and discuss all risks and benefits with your healthcare team.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eI'm pregnant and taking an antidepressant. Should I get a second opinion about the risk of heart defects in my baby?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePregnant women taking SSRIs or SNRIs, especially fluoxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, or venlafaxine, may face a meaningful decision about fetal heart risks. In a group of 40 exposed pregnancies, congenital heart disease appeared in 18% of fetuses, compared to a 1% baseline in the general population. Specific defects were linked to these medications. A second opinion can help you weigh whether fetal echocardiography is advisable and how to balance treatment of depression against potential risks. Diagnostic Detectives Network provides independent expert second opinions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ddn:faq:end --\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"source\"\u003eSource Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal article title:\u003c\/strong\u003e Risk of Congenital Heart Disease in Newborns with Prenatal Exposure to Anti-depressant Medications\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pooja H. Desai, Priyank J. Yagnik, Nancy Ross Ascuitto, Parna Prajapati, Steffan Sernich\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJournal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cureus, May 15, 2019, Volume 11, Issue 5, e4673. DOI: 10.7759\/cureus.4673\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCategories:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cardiology, Obstetrics\/Gynecology, Psychiatry\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis patient-friendly article is based on peer-reviewed research published in an open-access format under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY 3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original authors and source are credited.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DiagnosticDetectives.Com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47545198248092,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/diagnosticdetectives.com\/pt\/products\/understanding-the-heart-risks-antidepressant-use-during-pregnancy-and-congenital-heart-disease-in-newborns","provider":"DiagnosticDetectives.Com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}