Use of Antidepressant in Pregnancy does not Affect Baby: Study

Depression is a common disease and is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. One in 10 people depend on antidepressants, making it the third most common drug. But experts continue to debate on the use of antidepressant medication during pregnancy. Looks like the latest finding will keep this debate going on for quite some time.

According to the latest study, the common class of antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) taken during pregnancy does not impact the infants' growth over the first year, reports Northwestern Medicine scientist.

Prior to this, concern was raised regarding the use of antidepressants during pregnancy, as it supposedly reduced the growth of the infant during the first year. The infants' growth could diminish if pregnant mothers used antidepressants.

The present finding states that mothers who took SSRIs during pregnancy gave birth to infants who had similar weight, length, and head circumference over the first year as those infants born to mothers who never had any antidepressants. Though the infants born to mothers who took SSRI were shorter at birth, they covered the difference within two weeks of age.

They noticed that the growth measurements of the infants born to mothers who took antidepressants matched the growth measurements of the general population.

"Most women want to know about the effect of their depressive illness or the medication they take during pregnancy not only on the infant at birth, but also on the baby's longer-term growth and development," Northwestern Medicine lead author Katherine L. Wisner, M.D., was quoted as saying in Medicalxpress. "This information may help women balance the risks and benefits of continuing their antidepressant treatment during pregnancy."

According to Wisner, depression has a very negative impact on both the mother and the infant's health. Those who stopped SSRIs at the time of conception have a relapse rate.

Many studies have linked fetal exposure to antidepressants with cardiac and respiratory problems, growth and developmental delays, and even autism.

The details of the new finding will be published March 20 in The American Journal of Psychiatry.