Citalopram

Exposed non-exposed studies (cohort)

Study Country
Study period
Population source Exposure definition Non-exposure definition Sample size Rmk
Andersen, 2014 Denmark
1997 - 2010
All pregnancies in Denmark during the study period. Pregnant women dispensing of a prescription of Citalopram (at least the first 35 days of pregnancy). unexposed (general population or NOS)
Pregnant women without dispensation of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) during the first 35 days of pregnancy.
9927 / 1256956
Ban (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2014 United Kingdom
1990 - 2009
All singleton live births for women aged 15– 45years in which the medical records of the mothers and the children were linked to provide prospectively recorded information throughout pregnancy and in the year before pregnancy. Pregnant women with Citalopram prescriptions from 4 weeks before to 12 weeks after the first day of the estimated last menstrual period. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed, disease free
Pregnant women without diagnosis of depression.
1946 / 325294 Exclusion of 9096 children (2.5% of the study population) whose mothers had bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, other serious psychotic disorders, or prescriptions for antimanic and antipsychotic drugs before childbirth.
Ban (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 United Kingdom
1990 - 2009
All singleton live births for women aged 15– 45years in which the medical records of the mothers and the children were linked to provide prospectively recorded information throughout pregnancy and in the year before pregnancy. Pregnant women with Citalopram prescriptions from 4 weeks before to 12 weeks after the first day of the estimated last menstrual period. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed, sick
Pregnant women with diagnosed depression (in the year before conception up to the end of the first trimester) but with no antidepressant drug prescriptions in the first trimester.
1946 / 13432 Exclusion of 9096 children (2.5% of the study population) whose mothers had bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, other serious psychotic disorders, or prescriptions for antimanic and antipsychotic drugs before childbirth.
Bérard, 2017 Canada
1998 - 2009
Pregnancies with continuous prescription drug insurance coverage of at least 12 months before the 1DLMP and during pregnancy; pregnancies with a diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety or exposed to antidepressants in the 12 months before pregnancy. Depressed/anxious pregnancies with prescription fillings for Citalopram dispensed during the first trimester of gestation. unexposed, sick
Depressed/anxious pregnancies with no exposure to any antidepressants during the first trimester of gestation.
584 / 14847
Bérard, 2016 Canada
1998 - 2009
All full-term (≥37 weeks’ gestation) singleton infants born during the study period and whose mothers were covered by the RAMQ drug plan for at least 12 months before and during pregnancy. Pregnant women having at least 1 prescription of Citalopram filled at any time during the second/third trimester of pregnancy. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed (general population or NOS)
Infants who were not exposed in utero to antidepressants at any time throughout gestation.
421 / 142716 Material and methods based on description provided by Boukhris et al 2016.
Brown, 2017 Canada
2002 - 2010
Singleton children born in Ontario hospitals whose mothers were between the ages of 16 and 50 years and eligible for public drug benefits during pregnancy. Pregnant women with 2 or more consecutive prescriptions for Citalopram filled between conception and delivery. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed (general population or NOS)
Pregnant women with no serotonergic antidepressants prescribed during pregnancy or within 90 days prior to conception.
855 / 33069
Chan (Controls exposed to TCA), 2024 China
2003 - 2018
All pregnant women aged 15–50 years who gave a singleton livebirth or stillbirth (≥20 weeks of gestation) in public hospitals between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2018. Infants of women with prescription of Citalopram only filled during the first trimester and prescriptions filled before pregnancy but with duration overlapping the first trimester. exposed to other treatment, sick
Infants of women with prescription of Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) only filled during the first trimester and prescriptions filled before pregnancy but with duration overlapping the first trimester.
53 / 322
Chan (Controls unexposed, pop general), 2024 China
2003 - 2018
All pregnant women aged 15–50 years who gave a singleton livebirth or stillbirth (≥20 weeks of gestation) in public hospitals between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2018. Infants of women with prescription of Citalopram only filled during the first trimester and prescriptions filled before pregnancy but with duration overlapping the first trimester. unexposed (general population or NOS)
Infants of pregnant women who were not prescribed with any antidepressant within 90 days before the last menstrual period and during the first trimester.
53 / 462377
Colvin, 2011 Australia
2002 - 2005
All births in Western Australia during the study period. Pregnant women who were dispensed Citalopram during their pregnancy. unexposed (general population or NOS)
All other pregnant women and children of the women who were not dispensed a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI).
1136 / 92995
Colvin, 2012 Australia
2002 - 2005
All births in Western Australia during the study period. Children born to women who had been dispensed Citalopram at any time during their pregnancy. unexposed (general population or NOS)
Children born to women who had not been dispensed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) at any time during their pregnancy.
-9 / 94561 Nb of exposed children not reported. Overlapping with Colvin 2011, for which a similar result was obtained for Late intrauterine death (not reported here).
Cornet, 2024 USA
2011 - 2019
Infants born at ≥37 weeks’ gestational age at 15 Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) hospitals between 1 November 2011 and 31 July 2019, whose mothers received prenatal care in KPNC. Infants with any maternal Citalopram monotherapy (among Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)) dispensing by a KPNC pharmacy during late pregnancy, that is, after 20 weeks’ gestation. unexposed (general population or NOS)
Infants with no maternal Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) dispensing by a KPNC pharmacy during late pregnancy, that is, after 20 weeks’ gestation.
825 / 272517 Dose-dependent relationship of individuals substances: no conclusion provided by authors.
Dubnov-Raz, 2008 Israel
2000 - 2005
All of the newborns born at a single tertiary care hospital. Newborns exposed to Citalopram in the immediate antepartum period. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed, disease free
Newborns born to healthy mothers who took no medications before delivery.
13 / 52
Einarson, 2009 Canada
Not specified.
Women call the service for information regarding the safety of a drug. Pregnant women who were exposed to Citalopram in the first trimester of pregnancy. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed (general population or NOS)
Pregnant women who were not exposed to antidepressants and who had called Motherisk for information regarding nonteratogenic drugs.
184 / 928
Furu, 2015 Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
1996 - 2010
Women who gave birth to a live singleton infant during the study period (different periods according to country). Infants born to women who filled a prescription for Citalopram from 30 days before the first day of the last menstrual period until the end of the first trimester (defined as 97 days after the LMP). (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed (general population or NOS)
Infants not exposed to any antidepressant (ATC code N06A) in utero.
11193 / 2266875
Heikkinen, 2002 Finland
Not specified.
Pregnant women that visited the maternity unit of the Turku University Hospital during pregnancy. Women taking citalopram during pregnancy and lactation. unexposed (general population or NOS)
Women with no medication prospectively matched for confounding obstetric characteristics (age, gravidity, parity, and time and mode of delivery) at the time of delivery.
11 / 10 Neurologic development not reported because not enough provided details. Ten of the women taking citalopram already had the medication at the time of conception, and one woman started the medication at 20 weeks.
Heuvelman, 2023 United Kingdom
1995 - 2017
Pregnancies in Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) with a history of depressive symptoms or use of antidepressants in the preceding year before pregnancy. Women who had initiated or continued Citalopram for the treatment of depressive symptoms during pregnancy. unexposed, sick
Women who did not initiate or who discontinue antidepressants during pregnancy.
4620 / 16330 Dose–response relationships, sibling design and negative control for antidepressants use as a whole (not for the class of antidepressants).
Jimenez-Solem (Controls unexposed, NOS), 2012 Denmark
1997 - 2009
Pregnant women in Denmark and their offspring during the study period (all live births). Pregnancies with a continuous exposure to Citalopram at least 1 month before conception until day 84 of pregnancy (last day of the first trimester). unexposed (general population or NOS)
Pregnancies with no exposure to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) during pregnancy.
1606 / 843797 Overlapping: this study included data published by Kornum 2010. Overlapping: Data related to Major and cardiac malformations not reported because an overlapping Furu 2015 a larger study including data from 5 nordic countries, including Denmark.
Jimenez-Solem (Controls unexposed, sick), 2012 Denmark
1997 - 2009
Pregnant women in Denmark and their offspring during the study period (all live births). Pregnancies with a continuous exposure to Citalopram, at least 1 month before conception until day 84 of pregnancy (last day of the first trimester). unexposed, sick
Pregnancies with paused exposure during pregnancy (an SSRI 3-12 months before conception and 1-12 months after giving birth but with no expo- sure to an SSRI between 3 months before conception to 1 month after giving birth).
1606 / 806 Overlapping: this study included data published by Kornum 2010. Overlapping: Data related to Major and cardiac malformations not reported because an overlapping Furu 2015 a larger study including data from 5 nordic countries, including Denmark.
Jordan, 2016 Norway, Wales and Denmark.
2000 - 2010
All foetuses (live or still born or termination of pregnancy) and infants who 1) would have appeared in the EUROCAT registries had they been diagnosed with a major congenital anomaly, 2) had linked maternal prescription data. Prescription of Citalopram in the 91 days either side of the 1st day of last menstrual period (LMP). (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed (general population or NOS)
No prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregancy.
4028 / 506155 Overlapping: The results of outcomes also reported in the largest study published by Wemakor 2015 (EUROCAT data in 12 countries; 1995-2009) or Given 2017 (gastroschisis) are not reported here. Overlapping: Jordan 2016 included results of Knudsen 2014.
Kieler, 2012 Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
1996 - 2007
All singletons born after 231 gestational days (33 weeks). A filled prescription of Citalopram during pregnancy. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed (general population or NOS)
No filled prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy.
10820 / 1588140
Kivistö, 2016 Finland
2002 - 2012
Women who gave birth at Kuopio University Hospital during the study period. Pregnant women that used only Citalopram during pregnancy. unexposed (general population or NOS)
Pregnant women not using any antidepressant medication.
215 / 24402 'Eleven women were excluded from the SSRI group due to combined therapy with an SSRI and an antidepressant belonging to another pharmacological group. '
Kolding (Controls unexposed, disease free) , 2021 Denmark
2007 - 2014
All clinically recognized singleton pregnancies with fetuses alive at the nuchal scan from 11 completed gestational weeks. Pregnant women with two or more redeemed prescriptions of Citalopram from 28 days before through 70 days after the conception date. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed, disease free
Pregnant women with absence of redemptions for an antidepressant in the same time window, combined with absence of former use.
1239 / 353581 'Pregnancies with fetal chromosomal abnormalities were excluded regardless of presence of other malformations.'
Kolding (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Denmark
2007 - 2014
All clinically recognized singleton pregnancies with fetuses alive at the nuchal scan from 11 completed gestational weeks. Pregnant women with two or more redeemed prescriptions of Citalopram from 28 days before through 70 days after the conception date. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed, sick
Pregnant women with untreated- or well treated depression or anxiety without antidepressant use in the pregnancy (one or more redeemed prescription of an antidepressant from 365 to 183 days preconception and no redemptions between 182 days preconception through the first trimester).
1239 / 6326 'Pregnancies with fetal chromosomal abnormalities were excluded regardless of presence of other malformations.'
Lee (Controls exposed to TCAs), 2025 China
2003 - 2018
All pregnant women aged 15–50 years who gave a singleton livebirth or stillbirth (≥20 weeks of gestation) in public hospitals in Hong Kong between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2018. Women filling at least one prescription of Citalopram only during pregnancy, that is the period between the date of the last menstrual period and the date of delivery. exposed to other treatment, sick
Women filling at least one prescription of any tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) only during pregnancy, that is the period between the date of the last menstrual period and the date of delivery.
81 / 613
Lee (Controls unexposed, general pop), 2025 China
2003 - 2018
All pregnant women aged 15–50 years who gave a singleton livebirth or stillbirth (≥20 weeks of gestation) in public hospitals in Hong Kong between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2018. Women filling at least one prescription of Citalopram only during pregnancy, that is the period between the date of the last menstrual period and the date of delivery. unexposed (general population or NOS)
Women who were not prescribed with any antidepressant during index pregnancy.
81 / 463440
Levinson-Castiel, 2006 Israel
2002 - 2004
Neonates born in the tertiary care center. Neonates exposed to Citalopram in utero during the entire pregnancy or at least during the third trimester. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed, disease free
Neonates not exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in utero, born to healthy mothers.
8 / 60
Liu, 2017 Denmark
1998 - 2012
All liveborn singletons during the study period. A prescription of Citalopram monotherapy dispensed on any date from one month before pregnancy until delivery. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered). unexposed, sick
Antidepressant discontinuation (use before but not during pregnancy).
5939 / 30079 Results for Psychiatric disorders (ICD-10 codes F00-F99) in the offspring (mean age at diagnosis: 8.5 years) not reported here because not only neurodevelopmental disorders but also psychiatric disorders.
Malm, 2011 Finland
1996 - 2006
All the Finnish births and terminations attributable to severe fetal anomalies during the study period. Offspring of mothers with at least one purchase of Citalopram during the period of 1 month before pregnancy and first trimester. unexposed (general population or NOS)
Offspring of mothers without purchase of one or more selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs.
2799 / 618727 Major malformations and cardiovascular malformations (excepted ASV, VSD and transpo of great vessels) updated in a larger study published by Furu 2015 (1996-2010). Thus only the not updated malformations are reported here.
Marks (Controls exposed to Bupropion), 2021 USA
2010 - 2019
Women who received at least one antidepressant prescription 3 months prior to conception through delivery. Pregnant women with one (or more) prescription of Citalopram written during the time period studied. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). exposed to other treatment, sick
Pregnant women with one (or more) prescription of Bupropion written during the time period studied.
385 / 406 '252 women (6.8%) prescribed >1 antidepressant'=> considered as monotherapy.
Marks (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 USA
2010 - 2019
Women who received at least one antidepressant prescription 3 months prior to conception through delivery. Pregnant women with one (or more) prescription of Citalopram during the third trimester exposure. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed, sick
Pregnant women who took an antidepressant at some point during pregnancy but did not have a prescription for any antidepressant during the relevant period of exposure.
178 / -9 '252 women (6.8%) prescribed >1 antidepressant'=> considered as monotherapy. 'Neonatal intensive care unit admission" => not considered here because an exposure in early pregnancy could also lead to NICU admission.
Martin, 2024 Norway, Sweden and United Kingdom.
1996 - 2020
Singleton deliveries 22 weeks’ completed gestational weeks registered in the different databases during the study periods (UK: 1996-2018, Norway: 2009-2020, Sweden: 2006-2020). Singleton deliveries with maternal Citalopram (without concurrent prescriptions for different antidepressants) use during pregnancy proxied by prescriptions in the United Kingdom and dispensations in Norway and Sweden. unexposed (general population or NOS)
Singleton deliveries without maternal antidepressants use during pregnancy proxied by prescriptions in the United Kingdom and dispensations in Norway and Sweden.
20869 / 2408707 A group ‘multiple’ (i.e drug switching or concurrent prescriptions for different antidepressants) is available => thus individual antidepressant considered as monotherapy. Unexposed numbers: Table S4.
Merlob, 2009 Israel
2000 - 2007
Pregnant women who gave birth at the tertiary center Pregnant women who reported using Citalopram during the first trimester. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed (general population or NOS)
Pregnant women who not reported using Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
43 / 67636 'Any infant with multiple congenital anomalies or dysmorphic features underwent genetic evaluation by a trained expert to exclude a congenital syndrome.'
Nordeng - Citalopram/Escitalopram (Controls unexposed, NOS), 2012 Norway
2000 - 2006
All women who gave birth in Norway, recruited into at the routine ultrasound examination in gestational weeks 17 to 18. Multiple births as well as infants with chromosomal abnormalities were excluded from the analyses. Exposure to Citalopram/Escitalopram during pregnancy. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed (general population or NOS)
No reported use of any antidepressants in the 6 months before or during pregnancy.
243 / 61648 Little overlapping between Nordeng 2012 (2000 - 2006) and Furu 2015 (including Norway 2005-10) => the 2 studies kept.
Nordeng - Citalopram/Escitalopram (Controls unexposed, sick), 2012 Norway
2000 - 2006
All women who gave birth in Norway, recruited into at the routine ultrasound examination in gestational weeks 17 to 18. Multiple births as well as infants with chromosomal abnormalities were excluded from the analyses. Exposure to Citalopram/Escitalopram during pregnancy. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed, sick
Pregnancies that reported use of an antidepressant during the 6 months before pregnancy, but not during pregnancy.
243 / 1048 Little overlapping between Nordeng 2012 (2000 - 2006) and Furu 2015 (including Norway 2005-10) => the 2 studies kept.
Oberlander a, 2008 Canada
1997 - 2002
About (92.7%) all live births (hospital and home births) in British Columbia during the study period. Infants exposed to Citalopram monotherapy in the first trimester of pregnancy. unexposed (general population or NOS)
Infants with no exposure to either of these drugs (SRI or benzodiazepine) in the first trimester of pregnancy.
101 / 107320
Olstad - (Es)citalopram (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2023 Norway
1998 - 2008
Singleton births born in Norway during the study period, with cord blood samples available in the MoBa biobank. Singleton births with prenatal (es)citalopram exposure, defined as reported use at any time during pregnancy. unexposed, disease free
Singleton births unexposed prenatally to antidepressants and maternal depression (self reported by mother).
306 / 344 In the (es)citalopram group, other antidepressants were allowed, except when used concomitantly with (es)citalopram on the same indication. The indications for (es)citalopram were depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
Olstad - (Es)citalopram (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Norway
1998 - 2008
Singleton births born in Norway during the study period, with cord blood samples available in the MoBa biobank. Singleton births with prenatal (es)citalopram exposure, defined as reported use at any time during pregnancy. unexposed, sick
Singleton births prenatally exposed to maternal depression (self reported by mother).
306 / 308 In the (es)citalopram group, other antidepressants were allowed, except when used concomitantly with (es)citalopram on the same indication. The indications for (es)citalopram were depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
Ozturk, 2016 Turkey
2007 - 2012
Pregnant women referred to the prenatal consultation service for psychotropic drug exposure. Pregnant women exposed to Citalopram during pregnancy. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed (general population or NOS)
Pregnant women selected from the non-teratogen exposed pregnancies in the same year.
2 / 275 'Drug exposures took place in 81% during the first trimester, and 11% in all three trimesters. Medical treatments were discontinued in most of recognized pregnancies.'=> considered as 'At least first trimester'.
Palmsten (Controls exposed to TCA), 2013 USA
2000 - 2007
Pregnant women with a depression diagnosis enrolled in Medicaid. Pregnant women with a depression diagnosis and a dispensation of Citalopram in monotherapy during the exposure window. exposed to other treatment, sick
Pregnant women with a depression diagnosis and a dispensation of tricyclic antidepressant in monotherapy during the exposure window.
1680 / 441 Women who received only one antidepressant class during the window were classified as having either SSRI, SNRI, tricyclic, bupropion or other antidepressant (mirtazapine, nefazodone, trazodone) monotherapy.
Palmsten (Controls unexposed, sick), 2013 USA
2000 - 2007
Pregnant women with a depression diagnosis enrolled in Medicaid. Pregnant women with a depression diagnosis and a dispensation of citalopram in monotherapy during the exposure window. unexposed, sick
Pregnant women with a depression diagnosis and no antidepressant exposure between the LMP and the end of the window.
1680 / 59219 Women who received only one antidepressant class during the window were classified as having either SSRI, SNRI, tricyclic, bupropion or other antidepressant (mirtazapine, nefazodone, trazodone) monotherapy.
Palmsten b, 2013 USA
2000 - 2007
Subcohort of pregnancies in women with diagnoses for mood or anxiety disorders (between one and five months before delivery), ending in live birth among women aged 12-55. Women with a supply of citalopram monotherapy that overlapped with the delivery date. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed, sick
Women who had no supply of antidepressants in the five months before delivery.
891 / 69044 Exclusion of women who were exposed to both drugs types (polytherapy) during the five months before delivery.
Rai (Controls exposed to TCA), 2017 Sweden
2001 - 2011
All young people aged 0 to 17 years, residing in Stockholm County between 2001 and 2011. Children of mothers who used Citalopram during pregnancy. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). exposed to other treatment, sick
Children of mothers who used Clomipramine during pregnancy. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study).
1064 / 235 Overlapping: Rai 2017 is an update of Rai 2013. About 3% with co-exposure to SSRI and Non-SSRI antidepressants (91/3342) => considered as SSRI monotherapy and Non-SSRI monotherapy.
Rai (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2017 Sweden
2001 - 2011
All young people aged 0 to 17 years, residing in Stockholm County between 2001 and 2011. Children of mothers who used Citalopram during pregnancy. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed, disease free
No maternal psychiatric disorder and unexposed to antidepressants
1064 / 238943 Overlapping: Rai 2017 is an update of Rai 2013. About 3% with co-exposure to SSRI and Non-SSRI antidepressants (91/3342) => considered as SSRI monotherapy and Non-SSRI monotherapy.
Rai (Controls unexposed, sick), 2017 Sweden
2001 - 2011
All young people aged 0 to 17 years, residing in Stockholm County between 2001 and 2011. Children of mothers who used Citalopram during pregnancy. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed, sick
Children of mothers with psychiatric disorders (any time before the birth of the child) who did not take antidepressants during pregnancy.
1064 / 12325 Overlapping: Rai 2017 is an update of Rai 2013. About 3% with co-exposure to SSRI and Non-SSRI antidepressants (91/3342) => considered as SSRI monotherapy and Non-SSRI monotherapy.
Reis (Controls exposed to TCA), 2010 Sweden
1995 - 2007
Almost all deliveries in Sweden (1–2% missing). Pregnant women who reported the use of Citalopram in early pregnancy. exposed to other treatment, sick
Pregnant women who reported the use of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) in early pregnancy.
3950 / 1662
Reis (Controls unexposed, NOS), 2010 Sweden
1995 - 2007
Almost all deliveries in Sweden (1–2% missing). Pregnant women who reported the use of Citalopram in early pregnancy. unexposed (general population or NOS)
All other pregnant women in the register (not exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy).
3950 / 1062190 Overlapping: Kallen 2007 totally included in Reis 2010. Minor overlapping with Furu 2015 (including Sweden 2006-2010).
Sivojelezova (Control exposed to other SSRI), 2005 Canada
1999 - 2002
Pregnant women or women planning pregnancy who contacted the Motherisk Program from inquiring about the safety of citalopram and other medications in pregnancy. Women who took citalopram during pregnancy. exposed to other treatment, sick
Pregnant women diagnosed with similar psychiatric conditions in pregnancy as the exposed group but treated with other SSRI antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline).
132 / 132
Sivojelezova (Control unexposed, NOS), 2005 Canada
1999 - 2002
Pregnant women or women planning pregnancy who contacted the Motherisk Program from inquiring about the safety of citalopram and other medications in pregnancy. Women who took citalopram during pregnancy. unexposed (general population or NOS)
Pregnant women women with nonteratogenic exposures (eg, acetaminophen, hair dyes, vitamins, etc).
132 / 132 The disease-matched group treated with other SSRI antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline) not reported here, because it also concerns exposure to SSRI.
Sjaarda (Citalopram/Escitalopram), 2020 USA
2007 – 2011
Women 18–40 years of age, a history of one or two previous pregnancy losses, trying to conceive. Women who became pregnant with exposure to Citalopram/Escitalopram detected in urine samples at week 4 of pregnancy. unexposed (general population or NOS)
Women who became pregnant without any antidepressant exposure at the same time point.
37 / 662 'Women with SSRI use in this cohort may be considered to represent women with mild to moderate depression self-identified'.
Stephansson, 2013 Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)
1996 - 2007
All singletons born after 154 gestational days during the study period. One or more filled prescriptions for Citalopram from 3 months before the start of pregnancy until birth (different analysis according to period of exposure). unexposed (general population or NOS)
No prescriptions for an Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
10604 / 1604649 Exclusion of pregnancies and births of mothers who had used other antidepressants with an effect on serotonin or norepinephrine activity (but not other antidepressants). Overlapping: Jimenez-Solem 2013 (not reported because included in Stephansson 2013).
Suarez (Controls unexposed, discontinuers), 2022 USA
2000 - 2015
Individuals aged 12 to 55 years with live-birth deliveries linked to infants that have insurance coverage from 3 months before the date of the estimated last menstrual period (LMP) to 1 month after delivery. Individuals with at least 1 dispensing of Citalopram from 127 days after LMP (week 19 of gestation) to delivery. unexposed, sick
Individuals that having a dispensing for Citalopram in the window from 90 to 31 days prior to LMP but not during the window of 30 days prior to LMP through delivery.
13797 / 7605 The Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX): 2000 to 2014 and the MarketScan Commercial Claims Database (MarketScan): 2003 to 2015.
Suarez (Controls unexposed, general pop), 2022 USA
2000 - 2015
Individuals aged 12 to 55 years with live-birth deliveries linked to infants that have insurance coverage from 3 months before the date of the estimated last menstrual period (LMP) to 1 month after delivery. Individuals with at least 1 dispensing of Citalopram from 127 days after LMP (week 19 of gestation) to delivery. unexposed (general population or NOS)
Individuals with no antidepressants dispensing from 90 days prior to pregnancy start through the day prior to delivery.
13818 / 2920559 The Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX): 2000 to 2014 and the MarketScan Commercial Claims Database (MarketScan): 2003 to 2015.
Viktorin (citalopram or escitalopram) (Controls unexposed, NOS), 2017 Sweden
2006 - 2014
All live-born children conceived from July 1, 2005 and born in 2006 and 2007. Offspring that were born to mothers with at least 2 dispensations of citalopram or escitalopram overlapping the pregnancy. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed (general population or NOS)
Offspring that were born to mothers without any dispensation of an antidepressant with a medication period overlapping the pregnancy.
1097 / 172646
Viktorin (citalopram or escitalopram) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2017 Sweden
2006 - 2014
All live-born children conceived from July 1, 2005 and born in 2006 and 2007. Offspring that were born to mothers with a history of depression or anxiety with at least 2 dispensations of citalopram or escitalopram overlapping the pregnancy. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed, sick
Offspring that were born to mothers with a history of depression or anxiety without any dispensation of an antidepressant with a medication period overlapping the pregnancy.
639 / -9
Yaris, 2005 Turkey
1999 - 2004
Pregnant women calling for a counseling about the teratogenic risks of drugs, chemicals, and X-ray. Women who were exposed to Citalopram during pregnancy for depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. (This is a subgroup of exposure among the whole exposed group considered in the study). unexposed (general population or NOS)
Women who did not use any drug while pregnant.
7 / 248 Multiple drug exposure. Raw data for Intrauterine exitus not reported because the nb of cases in the unexposed group not clearly stated.

Case-control studies (cohort)

Study Country
Study period
Case Control Sample size Rmk
Alwan, 2007 USA
1997 - 2002
The case infants were infants born alive or died at 20 SG or more and who had received a diagnosis of at least one selected birth defect. The controls were live-born infants with no major birth defects who were randomly selected from hospital or state birth-certificate records from the same geographic areas. 9622 / 4092 Overlapping: individual malformations not reported because updated by Anderson 2020. 'Infants with recognized or strongly suspected chromosomal abnormalities or single-gene conditions were excluded from the study.'
Ames, 2021 USA
2003 - 2011
Children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or with other developmental delays or disorders (DDs) such as language delay or intellectual disability (ID) recruited from educational and clinical settings that serve children with developmental disorders. Children from the general population randomly sampled state birth records at each study site who either scored <11 on the SCQ or scored >=11 but did not meet ASD criteria after the in-person assessment. 1750 / 1671 The final analytic sample comprised 1367 children with ASD, 1750 with DDs, and 1671 POP controls. No age specified in article but in CDC website: 'The study will include children with ASD, with other DDs, and with typical development, ages 2-5 years'.
Anderson, 2020 USA
1997 - 2011
The case infants were infants born alive or died at 20 SG or more and who had received a diagnosis of at least one selected birth defect. The controls were live-born infants with no major birth defects who were randomly selected from hospital or state birth-certificate records from the same geographic areas. 30630 / 11478 Overlapping: this study is an update of Alwan 2007. 'Infants with recognized or strongly suspected chromosomal abnormalities or single-gene conditions were excluded from the study.'
Dandjinou, 2019 Canada
1998 - 2015
Pregnant women with a diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) identified using diagnosis codes ICD-9: 250.0–250.9, 648.0, 648.8, 790.2, 775.1 or ICD-10: E10–E14, O24, R73.0) or at least one filled prescription for an antidiabetic drug allowed during pregnancy (insulin, glyburide or metformin), both after week 20 of gestation, whichever occurred first. Pregnant women that did not have a diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at the index date. 20905 / 209050 The 10 categories of exposure were mutually exclusive.
Dave, 2019 USA
2011 - 2015
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in live births. No neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in live births. 659 / 621281
De Jonge, 2013 The Netherlands
1998 - 2008
All malformed foetuses and children (live births, stillbirths, spontaneous abortions and terminations of pregnancy) excluding chromosomal and genetic disorders. From the IADB, a population-based prescription database that contains prescription data from approximately 55 community pharmacies in The Netherlands, we selected the population controls. The IADB covers an estimated population of 500,000 individuals, which is considered representative of the general population. 3212 / 29223 Overlapping with Wemakor 2015, a larger study based on 12 EUROCAT registries (included The Netherlands) for cardiac, respiratory and digestive malformations => thus these results not reported here.
De Vera, 2012 Canada
1997 - 2003
Women with a diagnosis of gestational hypertension (ICD-9: 642.3, 642.0), pre-eclampsia (ICD-9: 642.4, 642.5) or eclampsia (ICD-9: 642.6) after the 20th week of gestation. Women who did not have a diagnosis of pregnancy-induced hypertension at or before the same gestational age. 1216 / 12160
Given, 2017 14: Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, FR, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Ukraine, UK...
1995 - 2012
Infants with gastroschisis (ICD-9 with BPA extension code 75671 or ICD-10 code Q793). Infants with a diagnosis of a major congenital anomaly not including gastroschisis. 1587 / 154877 Overlapping; this study updated Wemakor 2015 for gastroschisis. Medications taken in the second or third trimester or where the timing was unknown were excluded.
Kitchin, 2022 Spain
2002 - 2015
Pregnant woman suffering a miscarriage. Pregnant woman randomly selected from the whole cohort among women who were still at risk within follow-up, by risk-set sampling and individually matched to cases. 18070 / 54209
Laspro, 2024 USA
2013 - 2023
Newborns with oral clefts (ICD 10 codes Q35 or Q36 or Q37). Newborns without oral clefts. 12098 / -9 P-values were calculated, while to account for multiple testing (693 hypotheses) Benjamini- Hochberg (BH) corrections were performed with a false discovery rate (Q) of 0.05.
Louik, 2007 USA and Canada
1993 - 2004
Infants with any of a wide range of malformations with exclusion of isolated minor defects (e.g., accessory nipples, dislocatable hips, and low-set ears). Nonmalformed infants. 9849 / 5860 Exclusion of subjects whose infants had chromosomal defects, known mendelian inherited disorders, syndromes, defects with a known cause (e.g., fetal alcohol syndrome), metabolic disorders. No overlapping Yazdy 2014 (2006-2011) - Louik 2007 (1993-2004).
Nakhai-Pour, 2010 Canada
1998 - 2003
Pregnant women with a diagnosis or a procedure for spontaneous abortion between the first day and the 20th week of gestation. Randomly selected pregnant women who did not have a spontaneous abortion at or before the same gestational age as their matched case did. 5124 / 51240
Wemakor, 2015 Belgium, Spain, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, FR, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, UK
1995 - 2009
Babies with congenital heart defects (CHD) or with congenital anomalies other than CHD identified as significantly associated with SSRI exposure (‘‘signals’’) in at least one previous study. All other registrations. 12876 / 17083 Overlapping: Given 2017 published an updated and larger study based on EUROCAT data (thus this outcome, i.e Gastroschisis, not reported here). '12,876 with CHD, 13,024 with one or more of the 15 ‘signal’ subgroups'.
Yazdy, 2014 USA
2006 - 2011
Infants with a diagnosis of talipes equinovarus ('clubfoot') without a known syndrome. Infants with no major malformations or foot problems, drawn from the same birth population as cases and selected from either birth certificates (Massachusetts and north carolina) or hospital medical records (new York). 622 / 2002 No overlapping between Yazdy 2014 (2006 - 2011) and Louik 2007 (1993 - 2004).

master protocol