Antidepressants in late pregnancy are linked to respiratory disorder in newborns, study finds

Use of antidepressants in late pregnancy may be associated with a small increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), a US study involving more than three million women published in JAMA has found.1

PPHN is a rare but life threatening condition that occurs when a newborn’s circulation system does not adapt to breathing outside the womb. Around 10-20% of affected infants will not survive, and those who do face serious long term consequences, including chronic lung disease, seizures, and neurodevelopmental problems.

Researchers …