Antidepressants During Pregnancy Not Linked to Autism, ADHD. Here’s Why

A comprehensive review found no causal link between antidepressant use before or during pregnancy and ADHD or autism . Any association of neurodevelopmental disorders appears to be linked to genetic or environmental factors. While antidepressants do have potential risks, it’s important to weigh them against the benefits.

Untreated depression is associated with serious risks to both the pregnant person and their baby. Antidepressants have recently come under scrutiny by top U.S. health officials despite their well-established safety and efficacy profiles. A large international study investigated whether antidepressant use before or during pregnancy is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in children. The comprehensive review, published online in The Lancet Psychiatry on May 14, found no such association. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), around 10% of pregnant people experience depression. Untreated mental illness can lead to risks for both the pregnant person and their baby. Antidepressants, therefore, are commonly prescribed during and after pregnancy. Despite this, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. discourages the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a commonly prescribed class of antidepressants. These new findings could help dispel misinformation around antidepressant use during pregnancy. The researchers reviewed dozens of previous studies to better understand whether antidepressant use before or during pregnancy was linked to neurodevelopmental conditions in children.

Key points

• Untreated depression is associated with serious risks to both the pregnant person and their baby.
• Antidepressants have recently come under scrutiny by top U.S.
• health officials despite their well-established safety and efficacy profiles.
• A large international study investigated whether antidepressant use before or during pregnancy is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
• The comprehensive review, published online in The Lancet Psychiatry on May 14, found no such association.