# Admin Supplement: Effects of SSRI use during the peripartal period on early pregnancy loss and stillbirths in woman

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2020 · $270,247

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Perinatal depression poses a potential long-term negative health impact on the mother and the
fetus due to treatments with SSRI. Very little basic research is available on the use of
medications during pregnancy and lactation on the effects of pregnancy maintenance, fetal
development, and mammary gland development. Antidepressant use during pregnancy has
been shown to increase risks of preterm birth, birth defects, and pulmonary hypertension in
newborns. Our research has discovered that use of SSRI during pregnancy has resulted in
increased early pregnancy loss in dams. Furthermore, we have observed increased pup
mortality in the first two days post-partum. To this end, we have observed underdevelopment of
the mammary gland, indicating this could possibly due to the inability to lactate. The
continuation of SSRI use in depressed women is critical to maternal health. Therefore, it is
critical to understand the underlying contributions of SSRI to early pregnancy loss and
increased pup mortality postpartum. SSRI's are the preferred method of treatment of maternal
depression. It is critical to determine the mechanisms underlying early pregnancy loss and
increased early postpartum mortality. This will allow for support to be provided to women who
are pregnant, or attempting to achieve pregnancy, while being treated for depression with
SSRIs. Furthermore, this research will be critical for understanding the contribution of SSRIs to
issues related to the development of the fetus and this will provide critical information for
neonatologists to support infants born to women using SSRIs for the treatment of depression.
Additionally, determination of the effects of SSRI on mammary gland development will be critical
to supporting women who want to breastfeed and are being treated for maternal depression.
The effects of SSRI on pregnancy, fetal development, and mammary gland development is a
grossly understudied area. It is critical to delineate the mechanisms contributing to these issues
to better provide support to women who are being treated for depression during the perinatal
period.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10171152
- **Project number:** 3R01HD094759-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura Lorraine Hernandez
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $270,247
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-07-20 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10171152

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10171152, Admin Supplement: Effects of SSRI use during the peripartal period on early pregnancy loss and stillbirths in woman (3R01HD094759-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10171152. Licensed CC0.

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