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Prenatal SSRI exposure alters neonatal corticosteroid binding globulin, infant cortisol levels, and emerging HPA

Jodi L Pawluski1, Ursula M Brain, Caroline M Underhill

  • 1Early Human Experience Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. j.pawluski@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Psychoneuroendocrinology
|December 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants altered neonatal corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) levels. In SSRI-exposed infants, higher neonatal CBG predicted a smaller diurnal cortisol change, impacting the developing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Serotonin plays a crucial role in the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
  • Prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants may disrupt HPA axis development and function.
  • Investigating the impact of SSRIs on neonatal and infant cortisol and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between prenatal SSRI exposure, maternal mood, and neonatal/infant cortisol and CBG levels.
  • To assess the long-term implications of altered CBG levels in infants exposed to SSRIs prenatally.

Main Methods:

  • Assayed serum cortisol and CBG in mothers and neonates at delivery.
  • Documented maternal mood symptoms during gestation.
  • Measured infant salivary cortisol levels at 3 months of age.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal SSRI exposure increased neonatal serum CBG levels, irrespective of maternal depression.
  • Neonatal serum cortisol levels were not affected by SSRI exposure or maternal mood.
  • Higher neonatal CBG in SSRI-exposed infants predicted a reduced diurnal cortisol change at 3 months.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal SSRI exposure influences the developing HPA system by altering neonatal CBG and infant cortisol diurnal patterns.
  • Further research is needed on the long-term functional consequences of prenatal SSRI exposure on CBG gene expression and HPA system development.
Abstract

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