Neonatal Signs After In Utero Exposure to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
- Bennett A. Kaye, MD
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Department of Pediatrics
- Judith Weinstein, MPH
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jwein7@aol.com
Medical Ethics and Humanities Program
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Ill
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
To the Editor: Dr Moses-Kolko and colleagues1 reviewed the literature on neonatal signs after late in utero exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). We are concerned about a statement in their conclusions regarding the similarity of neonatal behavioral syndrome to infantile colic. The 2 syndromes should be easily distinguishable clinically. Neonatal behavioral syndrome has an earlier onset, ends earlier (usually by 2-3 weeks, the time that typical infantile colic begins), and, in most cases, does not show the same pattern of fussy behavior confined to a certain time of day.2 Moreover, colicky infants generally do not exhibit the other signs associated with neonatal behavioral syndrome, such as neurological, respiratory, and gastrointestinal disturbances.1
Infantile colic is not related to maternal behavior, depression, or SSRI use. Given the common occurrence of infantile colic (10%-20% of term infants)3 and the frequent use of SSRIs during pregnancy, there will …
