News Brief

Medpage Today

A new study shows that women may safely take anti-depressants during pregnancy, says a Medpage Today story by staff writer Charles Bankhead.

“Aside from a slightly increased frequency of low Apgar scores, outcomes were similar between patients who took antidepressants during pregnancy and those who did not, Eva Carignan, M.D., of Hartford Hospital and the University of Connecticut, reported at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine meeting.”  (Ed. Note: Read about Apgar Score)

“I think these are very positive findings,” said Dr. Carignan. “A large number of our patients suffer from some form of depression or anxiety and need these medications in order to live a normal life. It’s important to advise patients that there are risks associated with these medications, but our large study did show that the drugs are safe for use during pregnancy.” (Emphasis added)

“Antidepressant use during pregnancy is estimated at 3% to 4%. Reported risks associated with antidepressant use in pregnancy include cardiac malformations, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, omphalocele, transient tachypnea of the newborn, and NICU admission. But risk assessment has been complicated by inconsistent and conflicting data, said Dr. Carignan.”

Source: Medpage Today, February 6, 2008

Citation: Primary source: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2007;197(suppl): S194. Abstract 677.
Carignan E, et al “Antidepressant use in pregnancy and neonatal outcomes”

Citation: Apgar Score Information: American Academy of Pediatrics et al. 117 (4): 1444.