Infants Exposed To Antidepressants In Utero At Risk Of Developing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Study Says

Infants exposed to antidepressants in utero are at risk of developing neonatal abstinence syndrome, according to a study published on Monday in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Reuters reports. According to Reuters, NAS is defined as a type of withdrawal, distinguished by high-pitched crying, tremors and sleeping problems. Gil Klinger of Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel and colleagues looked at 60 infants who were exposed to antidepressants in utero and 60 who were not exposed (Reuters, 2/6). Of the 60 exposed infants, eight exhibited severe NAS symptoms and 10 exhibited mild NAS symptoms. All of the 60 infants who were not exposed to antidepressants were designated as "normal" (Klinger et al., Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, February 2006). According to researchers, NAS does not need treatment, but the "long-term effects of in utero exposure to [antidepressants] have not been demonstrated clearly" (Bakalar, New York Times, 2/7). The researchers also wrote, "Infants exposed to [antidepressants] should be closely monitored after birth by using a standardized protocol for a minimum of 48 hours," adding that infants, especially those who experience severe symptoms, should receive follow-up care to evaluate possible long-term effects of NAS (Reuters, 2/6).


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