Babies whose mothers use a type of antidepressant may be born with withdrawal symptoms, research suggests.
Spanish research found that SSRIs — selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft — were associated with neonatal withdrawal syndrome, according to the February 2005 issue of The Lancet. Babies born with SSRI withdrawal symptoms can experience convulsions, irritability, abnormal crying and tremors.
Researchers from the University of La Laguna in Spain say doctors should avoid prescribing SSRIs to pregnant women or should have mothers-to-be use them cautiously.
SSRIs have become a standard treatment for depression in the past 7 years, In December 2003, regulators told doctors to stop prescribing the majority of SSRIs to children amid fears that they could make young patients suicidal. Increasingly, patients are turning to natural remedies — in addition to psychotherapy — for depressive episodes.
