Perinatal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) effects on body weight at birth and beyond: A review of animal and human studies

Abstract

The long-term impact of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant treatment during pregnancy and postpartum on offspring outcomes is still not clear. Specifically, perinatal SSRI exposure may have long-term consequences for body weight and related health outcomes in the newborn period and beyond. This review focuses on the impact of perinatal SSRI exposure on weight using human and animal findings. The impact of maternal mood is also explored. We propose potential mechanisms for weight changes, including how early alterations in serotonin signaling may have implications for weight via changes in metabolism and motor development. As the majority of serotonin is in the gastrointestinal (GI) system we also speculate that perinatal SSRI exposure might alter the brain-gut relationship, via the microbiome, leading to changes in feeding behavior and weight.

Keywords: 5-HT; Body weight; Brain-gut axis; Metabolism; Microbiome; Perinatal depression; Pregnancy; Stress.