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AimsTo compare the disposition of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine enanantiomers in the mother, foetus and infant. MethodsBlood from pregnant women taking fluoxetine ( n = 9), during pregnancy was sampled in the third trimester and at delivery (maternal and cord venous blood), and from the infants 48 h after delivery. The subset of these women who were breastfeeding, plus additional subjects recruited in the postpartum period, were studied further, and maternal and infant blood, and breast milk was sampled between 6 days and 11 months ( n = 23). Drug and metabolite concentrations were measured using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography, tandem mass spectrometry. ResultsThere was a high correlation between maternal and foetal (cord blood) fluoxetine and norfluoxetine enantiomers ( r 2 − 0.9), the mean foetal/maternal ratios (95% confidence intervals) being 0.91 (0.61, 1.02) and 1.04 (0.93, 1.05), for fluoxetine and norfluoxetine, respectively. In 2 day old infants exposed to the drug in utero , the fluoxetine and norfluoxetine plasma concentrations were the same as in cord blood at delivery. Over the next 2 months, the plasma concentrations in the infants fell progressively. Stereoselective disposition of both the drug and metabolite in the mother, foetus, infant and breast milk was observed. The S : R ratios in the foetus and newborn ( ∼ 3) were significantly higher than in the serum ( ∼ 2) or breast milk ( ∼ 1.9) of the mothers, resulting in greater exposure of the foetus and infants to the biologically active enantiomers, particularly S-norfluoxetine. ConclusionsFoetal and infant exposure to fluoxetine and norfluoxetine is enhanced by their stereoselective disposition in the mother, foetus, breast milk and infant. Increased exposure may also result from decreased metabolism of the drug in the foetus and neonate.

Objective: To determine whether the congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) volume ratio (CVR) is associated with fetal and postnatal outcome after prenatal diagnosis and antenatal expectant management in a provincial tertiary referral center that does not offer fetal surgery. Methods: Retrospective cohort of 71 consecutive cases of prenatally diagnosed CCAM meeting study criteria (1996–2004). CVR was calculated on the initial ultrasound at the referral center, and associated with hydrops (Fisher’s exact test) and a composite adverse postnatal outcome consisting of death, intubation for respiratory distress, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, non-elective surgery for symptomatology, or respiratory infection requiring hospital admission (Mann-Whitney test). Results: A CVR >1.6 was significantly associated with hydrops (p = 0.003). In addition, the CVR was significantly associated with the composite adverse postnatal outcome (p = 0.004) at a mean age of follow-up of 41 months (range <1–117 months). For CVR and postnatal outcome, the area-under-the-curve receiver operating characteristic was 0.81 (95% CI 0.69–0.93, p = 0.006), and choosing a CVR cut-off of <0.56, the negative predictive value was 100% (95% CI 0.85–1.00). Conclusion: In a provincial referral center with antenatal expectant management of CCAM, the CVR was associated with hydrops and postnatal outcome, with a CVR <0.56 predictive of good prognosis after birth.

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