Use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors during Pregnancy and Risk of Autism

New England Journal of Medicine
Date Published: 
December 19, 2013

In the past, studies have raised concern about an association between the use of a certain type of antidepressant known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders in the child. A new study now shows no significant association between maternal use of SSRIs during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder in the child. However, the children were at a higher than usual risk of being diagnosed with autism if their mother had taken the drugs for depression or anxiety prior to the pregnancy, suggesting a possible link between the mother's preexisting mental health condition and the child's development of an ASD.