Study Finds Antidepressants in Pregnancy Do Not Raise Autism or ADHD Risk

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com
London: A significant international study showed that when genetics and maternal mental health are taken into account, antidepressant usage during pregnancy does not increase the risk of autism or ADHD in children.

The study, which was published in The Lancet Psychiatry, included data from 37 studies involving more than 25 million pregnancies. Researchers noticed that while early findings indicated a slight increase in autism and ADHD rates among children exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy, the link disappeared when underlying genetic and health factors were taken into account.
According to researchers, the results provide reassurance to expecting moms who need to get treatment for moderate to severe depression. In addition, they emphasised that untreated depression during pregnancy might result in major issues like low birth weight, preterm delivery, and postpartum depression.

Researchers advised patients to continue making individual treatment decisions with healthcare professionals and advised them not to stop taking their medications without consulting a doctor.