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Psychomotor developmental effects of prenatal exposure to psychotropic drugs: a study in EFEMERIS database
Caroline Hurault-Delarue1, Christine Damase-Michel1, Laurent Finotto2
1Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, CHU de Toulouse, Inserm 1027, Université de Toulouse, 37 allées Jules Guesde, 31000, Toulouse, France.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to psychotropic drugs, including antidepressants and anti-epileptics, is linked to developmental delays in children. This risk affects motor and mental development, particularly by 24 months of age.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Limited understanding of neurodevelopmental outcomes in children exposed to psychotropic medications prenatally.
- Growing concern regarding the impact of maternal medication use during pregnancy on child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of prenatal psychotropic drug exposure on the psychomotor development of children.
- To compare neurodevelopmental trajectories in exposed versus unexposed children.
Main Methods:
- Observational study utilizing the EFEMERIS database, which tracks drug prescriptions and pregnancy outcomes.
- Comparison of neurodevelopment at 9 and 24 months between 493 children exposed to psychotropic drugs (anxiolytics, antidepressants, neuroleptics, anti-epileptics) and 32,303 unexposed children.
- Analysis focused on psychomotor development, including motor and mental milestones.
Main Results:
- Prenatal psychotropic drug exposure was associated with an increased risk of abnormal motor development at 9 months (OR = 1.3).
- Significant risks of abnormal motor and mental development were observed at 24 months (ORs = 4.8 and 2.3, respectively).
- Increased risks were particularly noted for exposure to anti-epileptic drugs, neuroleptics, and antidepressants.
Conclusions:
- Maternal use of psychotropic medications during pregnancy is linked to a higher rate of developmental deviations in children.
- Specific drug classes like antidepressants, neuroleptics, and anti-epileptics pose a notable risk to neurodevelopment.
- Further research is warranted to understand and mitigate these developmental risks.
Abstract:
Little is known about neurodevelopment of children exposed to psychotropic drugs during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of prenatal exposure to psychotropic drugs on psychomotor development in children. This observational study used the EFEMERIS database. The database records the drugs prescribed and delivered during pregnancy and the resulting outcomes. Neurodevelopment at nine and 24 months of children born to women exposed to psychotropic drugs (anxiolytics, antidepressants, neuroleptics and anti-epileptics) during the second and/or third trimesters of pregnancy was compared to children who were not exposed to these drugs. Psychomotor development of 493 children (1.5%) exposed to psychotropic drugs during pregnancy was compared to 32 303 unexposed children. Exposure to psychotropic drugs during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of abnormal motor development at 9 months (OR = 1.3 [1.1-2.2]) and abnormal motor and mental development at 24 months (OR = 4.8 [2.1-11.0] and OR = 2.3 [1.05-4.9]). Increased risk was observed in children born to women exposed to anti-epileptic drugs, neuroleptics or antidepressants during pregnancy. This study found a higher rate of deviation from the normal developmental milestones in children born to women exposed to psychotropic drugs during pregnancy and more particularly antidepressants, neuroleptics and anti-epileptics.