The Link Between Antidepressants And Autism

The Link Between Antidepressants And Autism.
Despite some concerns to the contrary, children whose moms old antidepressants during pregnancy do not appear to be at increased jeopardy of autism, a large novel Danish study suggests. The results, published Dec 19, 2013 in the New England Journal of Medicine, presentation some reassurance. There have been some hints that antidepressants called picky 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 late-model US study, mothers' SSRI use during pregnancy was tied to a twofold increase in the edge 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 pint-sized numbers of children who had autism and were exposed to antidepressants in the womb. The recent study is "the largest to date" to look at the issue, using records for more than 600000 children born in Denmark, said tether researcher Anders Hviid, of the Statens Serum Institute in Copenhagen.

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

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

In theory depression or other mental fitness 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 group did initially see a slightly increased jeopardize of autism among children whose mothers used SSRIs during pregnancy. But once the researchers factored in the psychiatric disorders themselves, that statistical bond fell away.

On top of that, there was a trace 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 nugatory autism gamble - though the reasons are unknown. The study, which was funded by the Danish government, is based on records from Denmark's subject 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 direction during pregnancy. There were just over 6000 other children whose mothers occupied the antidepressants during pregnancy but did not reveal autism. Both Hviid and Chambers said the findings do not show 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 percipience development. It's cogitation that serotonin - the chemical that SSRIs object - contributes to early brain development, and in animals, altered serotonin levels can sway brain function and behavior. "It's still worthwhile to continue to study this.

But based on the compassionate studies so far, "if there is any increased risk of autism, it appears small". And for any one lady-love that possible risk would have to be balanced against the risks of leaving major depression untreated. "For some women, the optimal place may be to take an SSRI, even if there is an association with autism" day4rx.com. Hviid agreed, saying that's a judgement that has to be left up to women and their health care provider.