Those reading the papers this morning may have seen reports about two new studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine focusing on the use of antidepressants during pregnancy. Here’s what the study authors had to say about the research:
-Study I: Use of Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors in Pregnancy and the Risk of Birth Defects
Study Conclusion: Maternal use of SSRIs during early pregnancy was not associated with significantly increased risks of congenital heart defects or of most other categories of birth defects. Associations were observed between SSRI use and three types of birth defects, but the absolute risks were small, and these observations require confirmation by other studies. (emphasis mine)
Study II: First-Trimester Use of Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors and the Risk of Birth Defects
Study Conclusion: Our findings do not show that there are significantly increased risks of craniosynostosis, omphalocele, or heart defects associated with SSRI use overall. They suggest that individual SSRIs may confer increased risks for some specific defects, but it should be recognized that the specific defects implicated are rare and the absolute risks are small. (emphasis mine)