Psychopharmacological Treatment with SNRis in Pregnancy: a Case-series with a Long-term Follow-up

Abstract

To date, very little data is available regarding the exposure to SNRIs during the pregnancy. A prospective cohort study was conducted on 6 pregnant women (W) in treatment with venlafaxine(V) or duloxetine(D), afferent to the Clinic of Affective Disorders in Pregnancy and Postpartum of the United Hospital of Ancona. A 2-years follow-up was conducted on short-/long-term neonatal outcomes. From 2010 to 2014 all W treated with V or D during pregnancy were selected, assessed by means of the SCID-I, the BPRS, the EPDS and the HAM-D and followed up to 2 years of age of the child. A semi-structured interview was conducted at 3,6,12 and 24 months from delivery. 4W were exposed to V(37.5-75 mg daily):1 case throughout pregnancy; 1only during the first month; 2 in the late pregnancy. Only 1W developed a gestational diabetes(GD), spontaneously resolved after the delivery. 2W were exposed to D(30-60 mg daily) throughout their pregnancies: both W developed a GD at their eighth month of pregnancy. All pregnancies were regular, natural and full term. All newborns had normal APGAR scores and parameters. No MM or PC were reported after V or D exposure. None of the babies were breastfed. No health problems were reported during the follow-up period but 1 case of a decreased muscle tone with a delay in the deambulation, spontaneously resolved after the first year of age. Nevertheless, given the paucity of the studies so far published, it needs to deepen the potential role of V/D in the onset of GD.