Maternal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor intake does not seem to affect neonatal platelet function tests

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Hematology

Background:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed during pregnancy.
• Concerns exist regarding potential neonatal platelet dysfunction and bleeding risk with maternal SSRI use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate neonatal platelet function in infants exposed to SSRIs versus non-exposed controls.
• To determine if maternal SSRI treatment impacts platelet aggregation and surface coverage.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, single-center study comparing 27 SSRI-exposed and 27 non-exposed full-term neonates.
• Platelet function assessed using a cone and platelet analyzer (CPA) measuring surface coverage (SC) and average aggregate size (AS).

Main Results:

• No correlation found between SSRI exposure and impaired platelet function (SC, AS).
• Surface coverage (SC) was similar between groups; aggregate size (AS) was larger in controls.
• No association between maternal SSRI intake, maternal diseases, or perinatal conditions and impaired platelet function.

Conclusions:

• Maternal SSRI therapy does not impair whole-blood platelet function in healthy, full-term neonates as assessed by CPA.
• No increased risk of bleeding was observed in the SSRI-exposed neonates.