A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Pediatrics found that pregnant women who take certain antidepressants may result to twice the risk of having a baby born with autism, a breaking news report featuring the latest study said Monday.
The study are mainly based on Canadian records of more than 145,000 pregnancies. JAMA researchers found that there is an 87 percent higher risk of autism on the unborn baby when the mother took antidepressant medications during the course of pregnancy, especially in the first trimester wherein it is a crucial time for the fetus' brain development inside the womb.
According to author Anick Berard, and expert on pharmaceutical safety during pregnancy at the University of Montreal, the study they conducted has established that "taking antidepressants during the second or third trimester of pregnancy almost doubles the risk that the child will be diagnosed with autism by age seven". It is especially likely to happen if the mother takes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, often known as SSRIs.
SSRIs are commonly prescribed antidepressants. Popular brand names include Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft.
In a recent study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it has been found that one in 45 children in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. More studies needed to be conducted to support some claims on the causes of autism though both genetics and child's environment are believed to have a crucial role.
Professor of child and adolescent psychiatry,King's College London Emily Simonoff explains that basically all pregnant women, as well women who are planning to conceive a child, who are taking SSRIs should talk with their doctor on the therapeutic options. They should also bear in mind that the present findings of studies linked to pregnancy and autism risk caused by SSRIs do not necessarily indicate a causal role of the medication.
