Antidepressant use during pregnancy does not increase the risk of autism but does increase the risk of ADHD

Women who use antidepressants during pregnancy do not increase their risk

Credit:  Greyerbaby on Pixabay

of having a child with autism, according to a study published 26 August 2014. Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) studied data on over 6,000 children and their mothers.  They concluded that although the risk of autism was higher among women who took antidepressants during pregnancy, the increased risk was due to the mothers' underlying disease of depression.

The results of the MGH study are consistent with a Danish study published in 2013.  Danish researchers found no significant link between antidepressant use during pregnancy and an increased risk of having a child with autism. Danish investigators acknowledged there was an "association" between antidepressant use during pregnancy and autism, but attributed this to the mother's mental health disorder and not the medication. 

"We know that untreated depression can pose serious health risks to both a mother and child, so it's important that women being treated with antidepressants who become pregnant, or who are thinking about becoming pregnant, know that these medications will not increase their child's risk of autism," says Roy Perlis, MD, MSc, senior author of the MGH study. "There are a range of options – medication and non-medication – for treating depression and anxiety in pregnancy," says Perlis. "But if antidepressants are needed, I hope parents can feel reassured about their safety."

Credit:  Greyerbaby on Pixabay

As part of this study, researchers investigated a possible link between antidepressant use during pregnancy and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They reviewed data on nearly 8,000 children and their mothers.  Researchers determined that the risk of having a child with ADHD was increased significantly when the mother took antidepressants during pregnancy.

More information about pregnancy and antidepressant usage is available from the Office on Women's Health and the Mayo Clinic.

"Prenatal antidepressant exposure is associated with risk for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder but not autism spectrum disorder in a large health system" is published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

Sources:

Study calls into question link between prenatal antidepressant exposure and autism risk

Prenatal antidepressant exposure is associated with risk for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder but not autism spectrum disorder in a large health system

Antidepressant exposure in pregnancy and risk of autism spectrum disorders

A version of this article was originally published by me on Examiner.com.