Which of the following is a potential neonatal effect of third-trimester antipsychotic use?

• A. Neonatal jaundice
• B. Withdrawal effects in the newborn
• C. Neonatal seizures
• D. Neonatal respiratory distress

Answer: (B)

Third-trimester exposure to antipsychotics can lead to neonatal withdrawal symptoms after birth. The drug crosses the placenta and the newborn is exposed in utero; once the baby is born and placental transfer stops, the abrupt change in drug levels can produce a withdrawal-like state. This often manifests as irritability, tremors or jitteriness, feeding difficulties, sleep disturbances, and autonomic signs such as tachypnea or sweating. The key idea is that the neonatal withdrawal pattern arises specifically from late-pregnancy exposure to the antipsychotic and subsequent rapid clearance after birth. Other neonatal issues like jaundice, seizures, or respiratory distress can occur for various reasons, but they are not the classic direct consequence of third-trimester antipsychotic exposure like withdrawal symptoms are.