Does sertraline affect newborns after birth?

Understanding the Impact of Sertraline on Newborns
Sertraline, commonly known by its brand name Zoloft, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) frequently prescribed to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Its use during pregnancy has raised important questions regarding potential effects on newborns after birth.
Withdrawal Symptoms in Newborns
Research indicates that exposure to sertraline during pregnancy can lead to temporary withdrawal symptoms in newborns. These symptoms may manifest shortly after birth and are sometimes referred to as neonatal abstinence syndrome. While these symptoms can vary in severity, they are generally mild and self-limiting.
Potential Risks and Considerations
In addition to withdrawal symptoms, some studies have suggested that the use of SSRIs like sertraline during pregnancy may be associated with a higher risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight. However, it is crucial to note that the overall risk of major congenital anomalies does not appear to be significantly increased with sertraline use.
Moreover, a meta-analysis has shown that while SSRIs can lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome in some cases, the majority of infants exposed to these medications do not experience severe complications. This highlights the importance of careful monitoring and management by healthcare providers.
Conclusion
In summary, while sertraline can affect newborns, particularly in the form of mild withdrawal symptoms, the risks associated with its use during pregnancy must be weighed against the benefits of treating maternal mental health conditions. Expectant mothers should engage in open discussions with their healthcare providers to make informed decisions regarding the use of sertraline during pregnancy.

Does sertraline have long term effects on breastfeeding?

Most reports show no problems for babies who are exposed to sertraline through breast milk. Babies who were also exposed to sertraline in the third trimester of pregnancy may have a lower chance of withdrawal after birth if they are breastfed.

How does sertraline affect a newborn after birth?

Taking sertraline throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding does not seem to have any effects on physical or mental development or behaviour over the first years of the child’s life. There have been several large studies of mums taking antidepressants in pregnancy and the risk of the baby then having ADHD or autism.

What are the side effects of Zoloft in newborns?

About 30 percent of babies whose mothers take SSRIs will experience neonatal adaptation syndrome, which can cause increased jitteriness, irritability and respiratory distress (difficulty breathing), among other symptoms.

Are there side effects to sertraline postpartum?

We recommend to begin with low doses and to slowly increase the dose up, with careful monitoring of the newborn for adverse effects (irritability, poor feeding, or uneasy sleep, especially if the child was born premature or had low weight at birth).

What are the symptoms of sertraline withdrawal in newborns?

Withdrawal symptoms may have been recognised earlier in a clinical setting. Most neonates presented in the first 3 days of life. The most common symptoms were restlessness, feeding problems, irritability, and hypothermia.

What effects do antidepressants have on newborns?

Preterm birth, major cardiac malformations, and neonatal respiratory distress have been associated with prenatal antidepressant use,7–13 although other large studies have failed to confirm these findings.

What happens to breastfed babies on antidepressants?

There have been a small number of case reports of adverse events in infants exposed to antidepressants in breast milk, including jitteriness, irritability, excessive crying, sleep disturbance, and feeding problems.

Does Zoloft affect breastfed babies?

Sertraline and breastfeeding
If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, it is OK to take sertraline while breastfeeding. It is one of the preferred antidepressants to take when breastfeeding and has been used by many breastfeeding mothers without any problems.

Can breastfed babies withdraw from sertraline?

Breastfeeding while taking sertraline:
Most reports show no problems for babies who are exposed to sertraline through breast milk. Babies who were also exposed to sertraline in the third trimester of pregnancy may have a lower chance of withdrawal after birth if they are breastfed.

Does sertraline pass through placenta?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, citalopram, paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, and escitalopram cross the placenta and enter the fetal circulation. They are also increasingly used during pregnancy.