Antidepressants Associated with Preterm Birth, Infant Convulsions

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A study of 228,876 pregnancies, published in the July issue of the American journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, finds that maternal antidepressant use is associated with shortened (4-5 days) gestational age; for each prescription filled in the second trimester, the risk of early labor doubled.  In the third trimester, antidepressant use was associated with an elevated risk of infant convulsions.

Abstract → 

Hayes, R., Wu, P., et al; “Maternal antidepressant use and adverse outcomes: a cohort study of 228,876 pregnancies,” American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology Vol. 207(1) 49.e`-49.e9, July 2012

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Kermit Cole
Kermit Cole
Kermit Cole, MFT, founding editor of Mad in America, works in Santa Fe, New Mexico as a couples and family therapist. Inspired by Open Dialogue, he works as part of a team and consults with couples and families that have members identified as patients. His work in residential treatment — largely with severely traumatized and/or "psychotic" clients — led to an appreciation of the power and beauty of systemic philosophy and practice, as the alternative to the prevailing focus on individual pathology. A former film-maker, he has undergraduate and master's degrees in psychology from Harvard University as well as an MFT degree from the Council for Relationships in Philadelphia. Kermit leads workshops and webinars on the role of humor in psychotherapy and other human services. You can reach him at [email protected].

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