SSRI Exposure During Pregnancy and Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders

A large cohort study fails to confirm a link suggested by a smaller study.

Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy has been associated with a twofold increased risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in offspring, but the study involved only 298 children with ASDs (NEJM JW Psychiatry Aug 29 2011). These researchers investigated the potential association in a larger cohort study relying on Danish nationwide registries during a 10-year period through 2005, which covered 626,875 live singleton births of known gestational age and without genetic anomalies associated with an increased risk for ASDs.

There were 6068 mothers (about 1%) using SSRIs during pregnancy (starting from 2 years before pregnancy until delivery) and 3892 children diagnosed with ASDs. Maternal psychiatric diagnoses …

Reviewing Author

Deborah Cowley, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Katz Family Foundation

Deborah Cowley, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Katz Family Foundation

SSRI Exposure During Pregnancy and Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Topics

Reviewing Author