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Updated: Apr 20, 2026
06:39
Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
3.9K
Disparities in antidepressant use in pregnancy
A Yamamoto1, M C McCormick2, H H Burris3
11] Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente, Pasadena, CA, USA [2] Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Summary
Pregnant women
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Perinatal depression pharmacotherapy is recommended when benefits outweigh risks.
- Minority adults use antidepressants less than non-Hispanic Whites, but this is unclear for pregnant women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine antidepressant medication use during pregnancy.
- To examine racial variations in antidepressant use among pregnant women.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2006-2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data.
- Multivariable logistic regression to assess racial disparities in antidepressant use, adjusting for age, insurance, and region.
Main Results:
- Antidepressant use was reported in 2.2% of pregnant women's outpatient visits.
- Depression was diagnosed in 4.5% of visits; antidepressants were used in 25.4% of these.
- Non-Hispanic White women had higher antidepressant use (3.1%) than non-White women (1.0%), persisting after adjustments (aOR 3.3).
Conclusions:
- Significant racial disparities exist in antenatal antidepressant use.
- Non-Hispanic White pregnant women were more likely to use antidepressants than non-White women.
- Further investigation is needed to address potential over- or under-treatment and optimize maternal mental health.
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