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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
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Prenatal SSRI exposure: Effects on later child development

Tone Kristine Hermansen1, Annika Melinder

  • 1a The Cognitive Developmental Research Unit, Department of Psychology , University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway.

Child Neuropsychology : a Journal on Normal and Abnormal Development in Childhood and Adolescence
|August 5, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may not impact early child development but could lead to later cognitive difficulties. More research is needed to clarify the long-term effects of SSRI exposure during pregnancy.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) cross the placenta, potentially affecting fetal neurodevelopment.
  • Maternal depression during pregnancy poses risks to fetal and child outcomes.
  • Guidelines often suggest discontinuing SSRIs during pregnancy, but untreated depression also has risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and integrate research on SSRI pharmacological mechanisms.
  • To examine the effects of prenatal SSRI exposure on fetal brain development.
  • To assess the impact on child cognitive function following prenatal SSRI exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing studies.
  • Analysis of research differentiating early versus late developmental outcomes.
  • Evaluation of studies on cognitive function and behavioral problems.

Main Results:

  • Early cognitive development studies show no negative effects from prenatal SSRI exposure.
  • Studies on later development suggest potential cognitive difficulties and behavioral issues.
  • Findings across studies are not fully consistent, indicating uncertainty.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal SSRI exposure may have latent effects on cognitive development.
  • The extent and certainty of these effects remain unclear.
  • Further research is required to understand the long-term impact on child development.

Keywords:
CognitionDepressionHPAPrenatal exposureSSRI

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