Journal article
Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy and disorganised infant-mother attachment
Journal of reproductive and infant psychology, Vol.30(3), pp.261-277
07/01/2012
DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2012.717263
PMCID: PMC3598596
PMID: 23509416
Abstract
Objective: To examine the quality of infant-mother attachment in a prospective case series of infants whose mothers took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy. Background: SSRIs are prescribed to 2-6% of pregnant women. Recent articles on the use of SSRIs during pregnancy note the increased risk for problematic infant-mother relationships among mothers with untreated postpartum depression. However, little is known about the quality of infant-mother relationships among mothers who took SSRIs during pregnancy. Methods: Five mothers who took SSRIs during pregnancy were recruited from a community study of infant development. Mothers completed ratings of postpartum depression symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory) 4-6 times between 1 month and 1 year following the infant's birth. At 1 year postpartum, quality of infant-mother attachment was assessed using the strange situation procedure. Results: Four of the five infant-mother dyads (80%) were classified as disorganised, a rate considerably higher than in postpartum depression samples. Conclusion: These results are used to raise questions about the clinical implications of research on in utero exposure to SSRIs, perinatal depression, and disorganised attachment. Specifically, this case series raises questions about using research on the link between postpartum depression and infant-mother attachment as a rationale for the use of SSRIs during pregnancy. Current research indicates use of SSRIs during pregnancy may: (1) increase risk for disorganised attachment, (2) decrease risk for disorganised attachment, or (3) have no effect on disorganised attachment.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy and disorganised infant-mother attachment
- Creators
- Beth R Troutman - Department of Psychiatry , University of IowaAllison M Momany - Department of Psychiatry , University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of reproductive and infant psychology, Vol.30(3), pp.261-277
- DOI
- 10.1080/02646838.2012.717263
- PMID
- 23509416
- PMCID
- PMC3598596
- NLM abbreviation
- J Reprod Infant Psychol
- ISSN
- 0264-6838
- eISSN
- 1469-672X
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/01/2012
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Neonatology
- Record Identifier
- 9984004080002771
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