Side effects on fetus and infant of psychotropic drug use during pregnancy.

Psychotropic drugs are used frequently for the treatment of emotional as well as other disorders. With usage so widespread, many pregnant women receive psychotropic drugs. Maternal ingestion of these drugs may produce, in the fetus, side effects including withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal signs in the fetus as a result of maternal intake of opiates, hypnotics, analgesics, and tricyclic antidepressant drugs have been reported. Fetal side effects can occur by maternal ingestion of nuroleptic medications, lithium, antidepressants, anxiolytic sedatives, anticonvulsants, and bromides. The author feels that even though these drugs are generally safe, they must only be administered to pregnant women when absolutely needed, and then under vigilance.