Nine studies (n=949) were included. Seven studies had control groups (n=699). Two further studies were excluded from the review because of insufficient data available for analysis.
Neonates of women taking SSRIs during the third trimester of pregnancy were significantly more likely than controls to be low birth weight (OR 3.64, 95% CI: 1.01, 13.08, P=0.0481; NNT 31 based on 837 neonates) or to be admitted to an SCN or NICU (OR 3.30, 95% CI: 1.45, 7.54, P=0.0192; NNT 7 based on 549 neonates).
No statistically significantly difference was shown in the likelihood of PNA (OR 4.08, 95% CI: 1.20, 19.93, P=0.0694; NNT 9 based on 483 neonates) or prematurity (OR 1.85, 95% CI: 0.79, 4.29, P=0.1295; NNT 29 based on 909 neonates) with SSRIs.
The authors also reported on effects during lactation, neurodevelopment in the neonatal period, and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, most of these studies did not meet the inclusion criteria of the review and the methods used to identify them were not reported.