Which neonatal effect is associated with third-trimester antipsychotic use?

Which neonatal effect is associated with third-trimester antipsychotic use?

• A. Maternal hypotension
• B. Withdrawal effects in the newborn
• C. Hyperglycemia in the newborn
• D. Neonatal respiratory distress

Answer: (B)

Late in pregnancy, antipsychotics cross the placenta and can affect the newborn. After birth, the drug level in the infant drops quickly, leading to a withdrawal-like adaptation syndrome. This neonatal withdrawal can show as irritability or jitteriness, tremors, feeding difficulties, disturbed sleep, and sometimes respiratory signs as the baby adjusts to life outside the womb. This pattern—neonatal withdrawal symptoms resulting from late-gestation exposure—is the best fit for what’s most likely to occur with third-trimester antipsychotic use. Maternal hypotension is a maternal effect, not a direct neonatal adaptation. Hyperglycemia in the newborn isn’t a typical consequence of third-trimester antipsychotic exposure. Neonatal respiratory distress can occur for various reasons but doesn’t specifically reflect withdrawal after late-pregnancy antipsychotic use in the same way neonatal withdrawal symptoms do.

Late in pregnancy, antipsychotics cross the placenta and can affect the newborn. After birth, the drug level in the infant drops quickly, leading to a withdrawal-like adaptation syndrome. This neonatal withdrawal can show as irritability or jitteriness, tremors, feeding difficulties, disturbed sleep, and sometimes respiratory signs as the baby adjusts to life outside the womb. This pattern—neonatal withdrawal symptoms resulting from late-gestation exposure—is the best fit for what’s most likely to occur with third-trimester antipsychotic use.

Maternal hypotension is a maternal effect, not a direct neonatal adaptation. Hyperglycemia in the newborn isn’t a typical consequence of third-trimester antipsychotic exposure. Neonatal respiratory distress can occur for various reasons but doesn’t specifically reflect withdrawal after late-pregnancy antipsychotic use in the same way neonatal withdrawal symptoms do.