In a studies performed on rats and rabbits no teratogenic effects were found at doses of up to 210 and 75 mg per kg respectively [2].

A surveillance study of Michigan Medicaid recipients reported that data on 100 newborns exposed to trazodone during the first trimester did not support an association between trazodone and major malformations, specifically hypospadias, cardiovascular defects,  limb reduction defects, oral clefts, polydactyly, and spina bifida [1].

Einarson A, et al  found no increased rate in major malformations in 58 pregnancies after first trimester exposure to trazodone [3].

BREAST FEEDING: The excretion of breast milk was studied in six lactating women following the oral administration of a single trazodone tablet (50 mg). The milk/plasma ratio of trazodone  was  0.14 [4].

The American Academy of Pediatrics has classified trazodone as a medication "for Which the Effect on Nursing Infants Is Unknown but May Be of Concern" [5]

SEARCH LITERATURE

1. Briggs GG,Freeman RK, Yaffe SJ, Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation 6th edition,Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins,2002 p 1374-1375
2. Barcellona PS. Investigations on the possible teratogenic effects of trazodone in rats and rabbits. Boll Chim Farm. 1970;109:323-32. MEDLINE
3. Einarson A, et al. A multicentre prospective controlled study to determine the safety of trazodone and nefazodone use during pregnancy.Can J Psychiatry. 2003;48:106-10.MEDLINE
4. Verbeeck RK et al.Excretion of trazodone in breast milk.Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1986;22:367-70.MEDLINE
5.  Transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics. 2001 ;108:776-89.