Berne, Switzerland

Author Affiliations: Department of Neonatology (Treichel M, Schwendener Scholl K, Nelle M) and Department of Surgical Pediatrics (Kessler U, Joeris A), Children's Hospital, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland

Corresponding Author: Ulf Kessler, Department of Surgical Pediatrics, Inselspital, 3010 Berne, Switzerland (Tel: +41 31 6329223; Fax: +41 31 6329292; Email: ulf.kessler@insel.ch)

Background: Novel antidepressant drugs are increasingly used by women of child bearing age. However, potentially harmful effects on fetus and newborn remain unknown.

Methods: Case report and literature review.

Results: We present preterm twins whose mother was treated with venlafaxine, a nonselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, throughout pregnancy until delivery. The twins developed neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.

Conclusion: The question whether there might be a correlation between maternal serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis is discussed.

Key words: antidepressive agents; necrotizing enterocolitis; nonselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; pregnancy; venlafaxine

                World J Pediatr 2009;5(1):65-67