Mother/Infant/Child | Articles
Treating women for depression with serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, does not appear to increase the overall risk of birth defects. This is the conclusion reported in The New England Journal of Medicine based on findings from two studies of mothers who had given birth after taking this newer class of antidepressant drug.
While the studies did not find an overall increase in neural defects and most other birth defects, there may be a link between SSRIs and specific types of birth defects. One study found that maternal use of SSRIs for depression more than doubled the risk of certain birth defects that involve brain malformation. The other study found that use of Sertraline (Zoloft) and Paroxetine (Paxil) were associated with a higher risk of heart defects. Sertraline was also associated with omphalocele, which is a type of serious hernia that protrudes from the infant’s naval.
However, the report went on to conclude that while statistically significant, these specific birth defects are rare and, thus, the absolute risk with use of these drugs to treat depression is small.
SOURCE: The New England Journal of Medicine, June 2007.
Postpartum Depression for Dummies documents fully why depression can have long term effects on the mother, father, children and the family unit as a whole and why managing depression is a must. Recognizing and appropriately treating this disease is no different than any other. Recognize it early and use the most conservative approach first. We know that medication is aggressive and is not conservative. Try the conservative approaches found in Postpartum Depression for Dummies or Anxiety and Depression for Dummies first, with your doctor’s help. It could change the quality of your life now and promise a brighter future.
God Bless,
Dr. Benzinger
