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SSRIs linked with birth defects

Posted by ed_uk on September 9, 2005, at 16:09:37

SSRIs linked with birth defects

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors have been linked with congenital malformations, such as cardiac defects, in a study presented at the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology conference in Nashville, Tennessee, US, last month.

The study of 1,054 women found that, in the first trimester of pregnancy, SSRIs were associated with a 40 per cent increase in the risk of congenital malformation and a 60 per cent increase in cardiac defects for their babies. SSRIs were also associated with a 40 per cent increase in the risk of preterm birth and a 10 per cent increase in the risk of low birth weight. However, the researchers say that is unclear whether the effects they found were causal or due to other factors related to the underlying disease.

In a statement, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has said that previous studies have shown differing results, with some showing no difference in birth defects for women taking antidepressants to the average population rate. “The MHRA is carefully considering these data with European colleagues and will issue advice as necessary. As with all medicines, antidepressants should only be taken in pregnancy if the expected benefit to the mother is thought to be greater than the risk to the foetus, and all drugs should be avoided in the first trimester if possible. People taking antidepressants should not stop them without seeking medical advice,” it added.


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