Long Term effects on child of antidepressant use during pregnancy

[rainbow00]

I am wondering if there is any research on the potential long term behavioral effects on a child from maternal antidepressant use during pregnancy? Specifically, increased risk to child to have ADHD, or anxiety/depression.? I realize this is a difficult question to answer because of the genetic nature of anxiety and depression to begin with.

[admin]

Rainbow00:

After many years of study and numerous trials, there is no evidence at all that suggests antidepressants produce any untoward effects in breastfed infants exposed to low levels of antidepressants in milk. In fact, the opposite is true.

The effective treatment of depression greatly reduces untoward neurobehavioral outcomes in infants exposed to depressed mothers.

We all know, that nothing is worse for the development of an infant than being exposed to a mom with an untreated neurologic disorder (depression, anxiety, schizophrenia). Thus OBs and Pediatricians universally recommend that maintaining a healthy mom is the best way to get a good outcome in the infant.


Tom Hale Ph.D.
InfantRisk Center