Use of Antidepressants Safe During Pregnancy and Don't Affect Baby's Growth

Treating maternal depression with antidepressants does not stunt the baby's growth.

The findings, reported in the online issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry, found that women who followed the antidepressant medication - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) - during pregnancy gave birth to shorter babies compared to women who were not taking the medication. However, the differences in weight, length and head circumference vanished within two weeks after birth; and by one year, the babies' growth was similar to babies of non-depressed women.

Depression is a serious problem faced by one in every five pregnant women in the country. Hormonal changes, genetic predisposition and social aspects are some of the factors leading to this occurrence. Earlier studies have shown antidepressant use during pregnancy leading to severe outcomes like babies with cardiac problems, autism or low birth weight.

Experiencing the condition during pregnancy also poses a risk to the mother's health and can lead to the sudden onset of preeclampsia, premature labor and trouble handling the newborn. Concerned about the risks and to ensure a safe pregnancy, many pregnant women often hesitate to report their mental condition or take proper treatment.

Findings of the new study from the Northwestern University help in ensuring the safety of SSRIs during pregnancy.

"Most women want to know about the effect of their depressive illness or the medication they take during pregnancy not only on the infant at birth, but also on the baby's longer-term growth and development," lead author of the study Katherine L. Wisner said in a news release. "This information may help women balance the risks and benefits of continuing their antidepressant treatment during pregnancy."

The current study supports previous research. Showing the importance of treating maternal depression in pregnancy, professor Janet Werker from University of British Columbia's Dept. of Psychology and colleagues followed three groups of mothers and found that treating maternal depression with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) helps the process of language development in babies by speeding up the child's ability to regulate the sounds and sights of their native language.

On the other hand, maternal depression untreated by SRIs was found delaying this process.