Abstract

Selective serotonin is increasingly used for maternal depression during pregnancy. However, its use is associated with side effects in neonates. Respiratory and feeding problems, jaundice, metabolic and temperature abnormalities, and hypoglycemia have been reported in term infants. However, there are few data on early adaptation in neonates of exposed preterm infants. Our aim was to assess the effects of serotonin exposure on preterm adaptation measures in preterm infants. Data from preterm infants exposed to maternal serotonin during pregnancy and from matched controls were collected retrospectively. The final cohort consisted of 42 infants.exposed to serotonin and 21 matched controls. One-minute Apgar scores were significantly lower in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group (p=0.043). No differences in 5-minute Apgar score, umbilical cord pH, need for delivery room resuscitation, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, hyperbilirubinemia, need for phototherapy, temperature stability, and maximal oxygen demand rice field.No differences were found in total time on respiratory support, time to complete enteral feeding, length of hospital stay, or complications of preterm birth. In contrast to studies in term infants, there were no significant differences in adaptation and short-term outcomes between preterm infants exposed to serotonin during pregnancy and those not exposed.