Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy and Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorders

“Objective  To systematically evaluate whether prenatal exposure to antidepressant medications is associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorder … Conclusion  Although the number of children exposed prenatally to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in this population was low, results suggest that exposure, especially during the first trimester, may modestly increase the risk of ASD. The potential risk associated with exposure must be balanced with the risk to the mother or fetus of untreated mental health disorders. Further studies are needed to replicate and extend these findings.”

Abstract → 

Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy and Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorders,
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011;68(11):1104-1112

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