The aim of the study was to assess the effect of exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in utero on child IQ and psychopathological syndromes.

A two cohorts study was designed. A cohort of 40 mother-child pairs with depressive or anxiety disorders (DSM-IV criteria) attended at a Perinatal Psychiatry Program between 2004 and 2006 and exposed in utero to SSRI was compared with a healthy cohort of 40 mother-child pairs, paired by gender and gestational age. The two groups were compared in terms of children's IQ between ages 60 and 72 months, assessed blindly through Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC). The Early Childhood Inventory teachers’ and parents’ versions (ECI-4) were used to assess psychopathological syndromes. Statistical analysis were done with paired t-test, Chi square test, and Fisher's exact test.

There were no differences among the groups in maternal IQ, socioeconomic status and obstetric variables. There were no differences among the groups (exposed vs. non-exposed) in the Mental Processing Composite (101.20 vs. 106.95; p = 0.07), the Sequential Processing Scale (97.78 vs. 103.00; p = 0.11), the Simultaneous Processing Scale (103.90 vs. 109.23; p = 0.13) and the Achievement Scale (98.80 vs. 103.13; p = 0.13). The ECI-4 psychopathological syndromes rates of exposed children were slightly higher than non-exposed children, but these differences were only significant on Adjustment Disorder in parents’ reports (30% vs. 10%; p = 0.04).

Exposure to SSRI during pregnancy does not appear to adversely affect cognitive functioning. Exposed children showed slightly higher rates of psychopathology, especially Adjustment Disorder.