Electroencephalogram changes in a neonate following maternal fluoxetine use during the third trimester of pregnancy

Abstract. A term infant developed seizure activity, irritability, jitteriness, hypertonia and irregular breathing after delivery, following maternal fluoxetine use during the third trimester of pregnancy. An electroencephalogram (EEG) demonstrated changes consistent with mild cerebral dysfunction. Adverse neurological signs in the newborn infant following third trimester selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) exposure have been previously reported. This is the first report of directly observed changes in cerebral function at EEG. This finding has implications for the treatment of depression in pregnancy and neurological follow-up of infants exposed to SSRIs in-utero.

*Corresponding Author: 

Karen McCall, MD, Paediatric IntensiveCare Unit, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Dalnair Street, GlasgowG3 8SJ, Scotland. Tel.: +0141 201 0085; Fax: +0141 339 7151;E-mail: kemccall@doctors.org.uk.