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Maternal SSRIs experience and risk of ASD in offspring: a review

Zainab Fatima1, Aqeela Zahra2,3, Maria Ghouse2

  • 1National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues , Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) , Wuhan , China . Email: wangxu@mail.hzau.edu.cn ; Email: yuan5802@mail.hzau.edu.cn ; ; Fax: +86-27-87672232 ; Tel: +86-27-87287186 ; Tel: +86-27-87287186.

Toxicology Research
|December 5, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy may be linked to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in children. Further research is needed to confirm this association.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Antidepressants are commonly prescribed during pregnancy.
  • Prenatal exposure to antidepressants is linked to adverse outcomes like malformations and low birth weight.
  • Emerging evidence suggests potential impacts on child neurodevelopment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the existing literature on the association between prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review and compilation of twelve studies investigating the link between gestational SSRI exposure and ASD in children.
  • Exploration of the current knowledge gap regarding this specific association.

Main Results:

  • The available data indicate a potential signal suggesting that antenatal SSRI exposure may elevate the risk of ASDs.
  • Despite limitations in current research, a preliminary association is observed.

Conclusions:

  • A potential association exists between prenatal SSRI use and an increased risk of ASDs in children.
  • There is a critical need for larger, well-designed studies to conclusively determine the risk and its magnitude.

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