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Video

Pediatric Otolaryngology

(A919) Effects of prenatal maternal depression and antidepressant exposures on offspring ENT outcomes

Monday, October 13, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
Location: OTO EXPO, Posters

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Rishi Kuppachi Vas, BA

    Medical Student
    Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
    New York City, New York, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • AG

    Anthony Gagnon, MSc

    PhD Student
    University of Sherbrooke
    Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

  • GP

    Gabriel Potvin, MD student

    MD student
    University of Sherbrooke
    Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

  • VB

    Virginie Bouchard, BScN

    Research registered nurse
    University of Sherbrooke / CHUS
    Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

  • VG

    Virginie Gillet, PhD

    University of Sherbrooke, United States

  • JP

    Jonathan Posner, MD

    Duke University, United States

  • AT

    Ardesheer Talati, PhD

    Columbia University, United States

  • LT

    Larissa Takser, MD, PhD

    University of Sherbrooke, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • Anil K. Lalwani, MD

    Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Associate Dean for Student Research, Columbia VP&S
    Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
    New York, NY, United States

Disclosure(s):
Rishi Kuppachi Vas, BA: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Anthony Gagnon, MSc: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Gabriel Potvin, MD student: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Virginie Bouchard, BScN: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Anil K. Lalwani, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.


Introduction: Prenatal maternal depression (PMD) impacts infant health. Antidepressants (especially SSRIs) are first-line treatments for PMD but there is research showing they have negative effects on newborn health. This study investigated the association between PMD, antidepressant use (SSRIs and SNRIs), and newborn ear, nose, and throat (ENT) conditions.

Methods: A longitudinal birth cohort study followed 456 pregnant women and their newborns at CHU Sherbrooke in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. Participants included mothers with untreated PMD, those treated with antidepressants, and healthy controls. Newborn outcomes assessed included hearing tests, developmental scales, diagnoses made at otolaryngologist and audiologist appointments, and sociodemographic data.

Results: PMD was significantly associated with increased risk of multiple otitis media (MOM) in newborns (OR: 5.99, CI: 1.12-60.07). SNRI use was linked to a higher risk of overall ENT conditions (OR: 7.56, CI: 1.32-43.61) and abnormal ear drum mobility (OR: 27.64, CI: 3.23-221.03). However, no significant differences in ENT outcomes were found between newborns of mothers with PMD treated with SSRIs and those with untreated PMD.

Conclusions: SNRI treatment for PMD, but not SSRI, is associated with higher incidence of ENT conditions and negative outcomes, suggest hesitation in using SNRI’s as treatment for PMD. This information is invaluable in management of pregnant women with PMD.