Depressing Observations on the Use of Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors during Pregnancy

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Abstract
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a serious condition that typically occurs in full-term or near-term infants. Before birth, the fetus receives oxygenated blood from the placenta; a high pulmonary arterial pressure results in low blood flow to the lungs and shunting of the oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation through the foramen ovale and the ductus arteriosus. PPHN occurs when pulmonary arterial pressure remains high after birth and poorly oxygenated blood continues to be shunted to the systemic circulation. In one study involving 155 full-term newborns with moderately severe PPHN, 11 died, and nearly half the survivors . . .