(114) The Impact of Maternal Depression and Its Treatment on Offspring Cardiac Outcomes

Thursday, September 18, 2025

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT

Presenting Author(s)

Brynn E. Bowers (she/her/hers)

Medical Student
University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
Iowa City, IA, United States

Co-Author(s)

Hatice Dilara Mat, MD (she/her/hers)

Resident Physician
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Coralville, IA, United States
Adrianne R. Bischoff, MD (she/her/hers)

Clinical Associate Professor
University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital
Iowa City, IA, United States
DS

Donna Santillan, PhD

Research Professor
University of Iowa Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, United States
SS

Scott Stuart, MD

Professor Emeritus
University of Iowa Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, United States
Patrick McNamara, MD MSC (he/him/his)

Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology
University of Iowa
Iowa city, IA, United States
Tarah Colaizy, MD, MPH (she/her/hers)

Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, United States
BR

Benjamin Reinking, MD

Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Cardiology
University of Iowa Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, United States
Sarah Haskell, DO (she/her/hers)

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care
University of Iowa Stead Family Department of Pediatrics
Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Background: Approximately 20% of pregnant women experience depressive symptoms during the perinatal period. The most common treatment for depression is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), currently prescribed to 10-15% of all pregnant women. Our prior research suggests smaller left ventricular dimensions with SSRI exposure in animal models and a pilot human study, but there is a paucity of data on the cardiovascular outcomes of infants born to depressed mothers. We hypothesized that in utero SSRI exposure will lead to reduced left ventricular size and cardiac function.

Objectives: Determine the impact of maternal depression and its treatment on offspring ventricular size and cardiac function.

Design/Methods: Pregnant women, ages 18-45, with or without depression were prospectively enrolled in our study. Data included in this study analysis is from the first 100 enrolled subjects and their offspring. A Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-V Axis I Disorders (SCID) was performed to confirm the diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Validated surveys were performed to assess maternal depression throughout pregnancy. Surveys and medical charts were reviewed to assess depression treatment. Term infants underwent targeted neonatal echocardiography at 24-48 hours.

Results:

Conclusions: