The use of a birth defects case-control monitoring system in studying the safety of medication use in pregnancy

PhD Ceremony: mw. M.K. Bakker, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Dissertation: The use of a birth defects case-control monitoring system in studying the safety of medication use in pregnancy

Promotor(s): prof.dr. C.H.C.M. Buys, prof.dr. L.T.W. de Jong-Van den Berg

Faculty: Medical Sciences

Contact: via theUMCG, tel. 050-361 2200, e-mail: voorlichting bvl.umcg.nl

We investigated, amongst others, possible risks associated with the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are currently the most prescribed drugs for depression and depressive symptoms. In the recent literature, use of SSRIs has been associated with an increased risk of congenital (heart) anomalies and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. In the Netherlands the use of SSRIs in pregnancy increased from 12 per 1000 pregnancies in 1995/1996 to 28 per 1000 pregnancies in 2003/2004. In a case-control study using data from Eurocat Northern Netherlands we found an increased risk for atrial septum defects after the use of paroxetine, a specific SSRI, in the first trimester of pregnancy. We also found a possible signal concerning the use of fluoxetine, another specific SSRI, and the occurrence of hypertrophic pylorus stenosis.