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Long-term outcome following selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor induced neonatal abstinence syndrome

Journal of Perinatology volume 31, pages 615–620 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

To assess the long-term neurodevelopment of children exposed in utero to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that developed a neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

Study Design:

Neurodevelopmental evaluation was performed at the age of 2 to 6 years. Children who developed NAS were compared with those who did not using univariate and logistic regression analyses.

Result:

Thirty children with NAS and 52 without NAS participated in the study. Both groups were similar in mean cognitive ability (106.9±14.0 vs 100.5±14.6, P=0.12) and developmental scores (98.9±11.4 vs 95.7±9.9, P=0.21). However, there was a trend towards small head circumference in the NAS group (20 vs 6%, P=0.068). NAS was associated with an increased risk of social-behavior abnormalities (odds ratio (OR) 3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07 to 8.60, P=0.04) and advanced maternal age (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.25, P=0.04).

Conclusion:

Infants who developed NAS had normal cognitive ability, but were at an increased risk for social-behavioral abnormalities. Follow-up evaluation of symptomatic neonates should be considered.

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Acknowledgements

The study was supported by research grants from the Department of Neurology and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. We thank Mrs Pearl Lilos, MSc, of the Department of Statistics, Tel Aviv University, for excellent statistical analysis. We also acknowledge the work and dedication of the pediatric psychologists: Salam Amer, MSc, and Bossmat Aronson, MSc, of the Neurology Department, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqwa, Israel

    G Klinger, P Merlob, L Sirota & R Levinson-Castiel

  2. Beilinson Teratology Information Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqwa, Israel

    G Klinger, P Merlob & B Stahl

  3. Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    G Klinger, D Frankenthal, P Merlob, G Diamond, L Sirota, R Levinson-Castiel, N Linder & D Inbar

  4. Pediatric Neurology Department, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqwa, Israel

    G Diamond & D Inbar

  5. Department of Neonatology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqwa, Israel

    N Linder

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  1. G Klinger
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Correspondence to G Klinger.

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Klinger, G., Frankenthal, D., Merlob, P. et al. Long-term outcome following selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor induced neonatal abstinence syndrome. J Perinatol 31, 615–620 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2010.211

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