Studies Show Antidepressants Not Linked To Birth Defects

Two research
studies published today in The New England Journal of Medicine found taking
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), anti-depression drugs,
during pregnancy did not significantly increase the overall risk for most
birth defects. However, each study found that taking SSRIs during pregnancy
was associated with a small increase in the risk of certain rare birth
defects -- but they were different birth defects.


Dr. Michael Katz, acting Medical Director of the March of Dimes, said
the studies show how important post-market surveillance is in assessing the
safety of medications in pregnancy. During pre-approval, drugs are tested
on relatively few subjects and only side effects with a large frequency are
detected. Once approved, many people take the medication and even very rare
side effects surface.



"Most prescription drugs are not tested on pregnant women," said Dr.
Katz. "So we must start monitoring the effects of these medications as soon
as they reach consumers, and keep monitoring for as long as it takes to get
good data on risks to mothers and babies."



The March of Dimes recommends women discuss the potential risks and
benefits of taking SSRIs during pregnancy with their doctors. Women who are
taking an antidepressant should not stop taking their medications if they
discover they are pregnant, but should immediately contact their health
care provider. It may be dangerous to stop taking an antidepressant
suddenly.



About 10 percent of pregnant women in the United States suffer from
depression, some of it undiagnosed.



Previous studies have found that some SSRIs may increase the risk for
other problems for babies, including:


-- Withdrawal symptoms in newborns;


-- Pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), a rare, but serious heart
and lung disorder;


-- Low birthweight or preterm delivery.



One study was led by researchers at the University of British Columbia
and the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities and
the other by researchers at Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center.



The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing
birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.


March of Dimes

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