IJPDS International Journal of Population Data Science

Researchers from Queen’s University, Ontario have discovered no significant difference in the withdrawal risk between newborns who are breastfed* or formula-fed, when the mothers* take a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant during pregnancy. The findings, published in the International Journal of Population Data Science (IJPDS), add to the existing research into treatment of mood and anxiety disorders in pregnancy, and offer women who take SSRI medications during pregnancy support for their preferred newborn feeding method with the appropriate monitoring for newborn well-being.

Maternal medication use in pregnancy and newborn feeding methods is an important research topic because mood and anxiety disorders are the most common pregnancy complication, affecting about 1 in 5 women. SSRIs are the most used antidepressant medication in the general population and in pregnant women. There is a small risk that a newborn will experience withdrawal signs after being exposed to SSRIs, including jitteriness, fussiness, crying, feeding problems, or changes in sleep. These signs will usually improve a few days after birth.

The study looked at the outcomes of newborns whose mothers* took SSRIs during their pregnancy, and whether the feeding method after birth impacted the risk for newborn withdrawal or transfer to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

It revealed an overall low risk of newborn withdrawal, but also that there was no difference in risk among breastfed newborns compared with formula-fed newborns who were exposed to SSRIs. The study also showed a possible lower risk of transfer to the NICU in breastfed newborns.

This research gives health care providers evidence-based information to share with pregnant women when making decisions about how they will feed their baby after birth and any support that they might need.

Pregnant and breastfeeding families need information about potential signs of withdrawal in their baby and how best to provide comfort. Parents also need to know when to seek health care after they leave the hospital. It is important to make sure their baby is feeding well, is active and alert, and gaining weight. While serious adverse outcomes are rare, monitoring for potential signs of withdrawal is important so newborns receive timely health care if needed.

Maternal mental well-being is important for the positive long-term growth and development of children, and for women’s health. Therefore, it is imperative for mothers to speak with their health care provider about continuing to take their medication during pregnancy.

Lead author Christina Cantin emphasised that “Women who take SSRI medications during pregnancy can be supported in their preferred newborn feeding method with the appropriate monitoring for newborn well-being.”

* We have used the terms mother/woman/women and breastfed/breastfeeding with the intention of simplicity and clarity. However, we recognize that pregnant and lactating persons may not identify with the term “mother” “woman/women” or “breastfeeding”. The terms “chestfeeding” or “human milk feeding” may be more inclusive of the preferred way for individuals to refer to feeding their newborns. We encourage you to ask about preferred words to ensure safe, respectful, inclusive, trauma-informed care is provided.

 

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Christina Cantin, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario; CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario

Cantin, C., Li, W., Snelgrove-Clarke, E., Corsi, D., Dennis, C.-L., Ross-White, A., Brogly, S. and Gaudet, L. (2024) “Neonates With In-Utero SSRI Exposure (NeoWISE): a retrospective cohort study examining the effect of newborn feeding method on newborn withdrawal”, International Journal of Population Data Science, 9(2). doi: 10.23889/ijpds.v9i2.2458.