The Link Between Antidepressants And Autism

The Link Between Antidepressants And Autism.
Despite some concerns to the contrary, children whose moms hand-me-down antidepressants during pregnancy do not appear to be at increased chance of autism, a large creative Danish study suggests. The results, published Dec 19, 2013 in the New England Journal of Medicine, furnish some reassurance. There have been some hints that antidepressants called discerning serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) could be linked to autism. SSRIs are the "first-line" drug against depression, and allow for medications such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa) and paroxetine (Paxil).

In one new US study, mothers' SSRI use during pregnancy was tied to a twofold increase in the likelihood that her child would have autism. A Swedish study saw a similar pattern, though the risk linked to the drugs was smaller. But both studies included only undersized numbers of children who had autism and were exposed to antidepressants in the womb. The green study is "the largest to date" to look at the issue, using records for more than 600000 children born in Denmark, said leading researcher Anders Hviid, of the Statens Serum Institute in Copenhagen.

And overall, his set found, there was no clear link between SSRI use during pregnancy and children's autism risk. Hviid cautioned that the declaration is still based on a small few of children who had autism and prenatal exposure to an SSRI - 52, to be exact. The researchers famed that it's not possible to rule out a small increase in autism risk. "At this point, I do not regard this potential association should feature prominently when evaluating the risks and benefits of SSRI use in pregnancy".

Commenting on the findings, Christina Chambers, commandant of the Center for the Promotion of Maternal Health and Infant Development at the University of California, San Diego, stated, "I over this study is reassuring". One "important" locale is that the researchers factored in mothers' mental health diagnoses - which ranged from gloominess to eating disorders to schizophrenia. "How much of the risk is related to the medication, and how much is interrelated to the underlying condition? It's hard to tease out".

In theory depression or other mental constitution disorders could contribute to autism risk because those moms may be more likely to make unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking or drinking. In this study, Hviid's party did initially see a slightly increased peril of autism among children whose mothers used SSRIs during pregnancy. But once the researchers factored in the psychiatric disorders themselves, that statistical interdependence fell away.

On top of that, there was a little increase in autism risk among children whose mothers had used an SSRI in the two years before pregnancy, but not during pregnancy. Hviid said that all suggests it's the underlying conditions, rather than the drugs, that are associated with a secondary autism jeopardy - though the reasons are unknown. The study, which was funded by the Danish government, is based on records from Denmark's patriotic system of health databases.

Of nearly 627000 children born between 1996 and 2005, just under 3900 were later diagnosed with autism. Among those children, 52 were born to mothers who filled an SSRI preparation during pregnancy. There were just over 6000 other children whose mothers in use the antidepressants during pregnancy but did not ripen autism. Both Hviid and Chambers said the findings do not analyse that SSRIs carry no autism risk.

And a connection is biologically plausible. No one knows what causes autism, which affects an estimated one in 88 children. But it involves a disruption in fetal perception development. It's concern that serotonin - the chemical that SSRIs quarry - contributes to early brain development, and in animals, altered serotonin levels can agitate brain function and behavior. "It's still worthwhile to continue to study this.

But based on the one studies so far, "if there is any increased risk of autism, it appears small". And for any one baggage that possible risk would have to be balanced against the risks of leaving major depression untreated. "For some women, the optimal job may be to take an SSRI, even if there is an association with autism" recommended reading. Hviid agreed, saying that's a firmness that has to be left up to women and their health care provider.