Pregnancy and Antidepressants: Small Risk of Birth Defects

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A second study published this week came to a similar conclusion. Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report maternal use of SSRIs is linked to three defects: anencephaly (a fatal condition where the top of the skull and most of the brain does not form), craniosynostosis (where skull bones fuse too soon) and omphalocele.

"The absolute risks associated with SSRIs appear small in comparison with the baseline risks of birth defects that exist in every pregnancy," wrote authors of the CDC study. "Maternal stress and depression during pregnancy have been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes, and discontinuation of antidepressant treatment in pregnant women with serious depressive illness may have adverse effects on the mother and her baby," they continued.

"I think this study provides information that can be useful in making that decision," said Dr. Sloan of the Boston University study. "I would hope that more studies and more investigations would continue to look at the question and help women address this problem."

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Carol Louik, Sc.D.; The New England Journal of Medicine, 2007;356:2675-2683