Pregnant and on antidepressants? Worry no more, study suggests
Previously contradictory findings on the topic have been clarified by the large population and meticulous study design of our research, says Elizabeth Suarez, lead author of the study, an associate professor at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Healthcare Policy, and Aging.
The use of antidepressants during pregnancy is associated with autism, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavioral problems, speech development, language, learning, and coordination, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine on Monday. However, this doesn't mean an increased risk of disability or intellectual impairment, Suarez said in an email.
"These findings are reassuring when it comes to the potential impact on the neurological development of children, especially for diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorders that pregnant women may have more concerns about," Suarez explained.
Carmine Pariante, a professor at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London, echoed the sentiment in a statement to CNN. "Many women and healthcare professionals worry about pregnancy when they are taking antidepressants," Pariante said. "However, this new study indicates that the risk is not as high as previously thought."
Tiffany Moore-Simas, a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Practice Guidelines Committee, agreed, telling CNN in an email that "every fifth perinatal person struggles with mental health issues." "We must stop stigmatizing women for taking the steps they need to take care of themselves," Moore-Simas said. "Healthy babies need healthy mothers."
A contentious topic
Numerous long-term studies have found a link between antidepressant use during pregnancy and developmental problems in children, particularly Autism and ADHD. However, recent research calls into question the quality of earlier studies, which often overlooked factors like obesity, environmental toxins, inflammation, and maternal stress.
Earlier studies also failed to account for the effects of untreated maternal depression, anxiety, or other psychological conditions on the developing fetus. Untreated mental health issues in pregnant women are associated with complications like preterm birth, low birth weight, growth restriction, impaired relationships, and negative impacts on neurological development and increased psychological health risks for their offspring, according to Moore-Simas.
Experts say that pregnant women with depression may occasionally miss prenatal appointments, skip meals, drink excessively, smoke, and neglect their developing babies because they cannot care for themselves.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only a small number of antidepressants have been linked to birth defects, so pregnant women should discuss their use with their healthcare providers.
"Our findings should be weighed against the potential risks of other negative consequences, such as a slight increase in the risk of preterm birth, as well as the benefits of treatment," Suarez said. "While we have made progress in understanding the effects of most common antidepressants, many clinicians and pregnant women remain cautious in their use."
Pariante emphasized the importance of individualized care and open communication between healthcare providers and pregnant women with mental health conditions. "Consultations between pregnant women and their doctors about the use of antidepressants during pregnancy often occur in the context of the risks of the medications – even though the overall data suggest a reassuring picture," Parriant said. "When discussing medication use for mental health treatment during pregnancy or other conditions, the risks of untreated conditions must be considered."
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists regularly meets to update guidelines for the safe use of medications during pregnancy and will review studies like this one, according to a spokesperson for the organization.
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New study findings suggest no increased risk of neurodevelopmental issues in children associated with antidepressant use during pregnancy, contradicting previous studies. The large population and meticulous study design yielded reassuring results, indicating a lower risk than previously thought. Individualized care and open communication between healthcare providers and pregnant women with mental health conditions are essential for making informed decisions.
Sampling from the enrichment data, the inclusion of "individualized care and open communication between healthcare providers and pregnant women with mental health conditions" has been added to the base article to provide extra context and emphasize the importance of consultation and personalized care in this context. The revised article aims to provide a fresh, original version of the original article while incorporating relevant insights from the enrichment data sparingly and maintaining flow and coherence.
