RT Journal
A1 Dubnov-Raz G, Koren G, Finkelstein Y
T1 SElective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure in pregnancy and neonatal adverse events
JF Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
JO Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
YR 2010
FD April 1
VO 164
IS 4
SP 394
OP 395
DO 10.1001/archpediatrics.2010.34
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpediatrics.2010.34
AB 
We wish to suggest a possible mechanism for such early adverse outcomes in these infants. In a review of prospectively collected electrocardiograms from SSRI-exposed newborns in late pregnancy, we identified a long mean QT interval and a 10% rate of a prolonged QTc interval.2 This prevalence was much higher compared with a matched control group and about 1000-fold higher than expected in the general population. Recently, a possible link between serotonin action and cardiac development and function was identified, using a serotonin transporter-knockout mouse as a model for sudden infant death syndrome.3 This transporter is responsible for the reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft back into the presynaptic neuron and is the site of action of SSRIs. Knockout mice lacking a serotonin transporter, thus mimicking the a state of SSRI use, developed cardiac fibrosis, and 75% experienced sudden death in the first week of life.