Prenatal Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Use and Associated Risk for Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia: A Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies.

Background: To analyze existing cohort studies and provide evidence for the use of prenatal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) monotherapy and the associated risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.

Methods: A comprehensive search of English language articles published before 30th April 2017 was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, and the Web of Science databases. Using data acquired, we summarized the relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia using the random-effects model. Heterogeneity between studies was also assessed with the I statistic.

Results: Seven cohort studies with 1,108,261 individuals were included for analysis. Compared with nonusers, those undertaking prenatal SSRI monotherapy were more likely to develop gestational hypertension or preeclampsia (summarized RR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05-1.40, I = 71.3%), gestational hypertension (summarized RR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.00-1.30, I = 5.7%), and preeclampsia (summarized RR = 1.32, 95% CI: 0.99-1.78, I = 83.3%). In addition, although subgroup analyses, which were stratified by study design, number of cases, geographic location, duration of SSRI monotherapy, registry databases, and adjustment for potential confounders and risk factors, were consistent with the main findings, not all of these showed statistical significance. No evidence of publication bias was detected.

Conclusions: Women who receive SSRI monotherapy during pregnancy are at increased risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.