According to a report published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, mothers who take antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), especially during the first trimester of their pregnancy, have an increased chance of having a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASDs).
"The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has increased over recent years," claim the authors of the report. "Use of antidepressant medications during pregnancy also shows a secular increase in recent decades, prompting concerns that prenatal exposure may contribute to increased risk of ASD."
Mothers of children with ASD were found to be twice as likely to have been prescribed at least one antidepressant in the year prior to giving birth than those not taking antidepressants.
Interestingly, no association was made between the risk of ASD and the mother having a history of depression or any mental health disorder for the year prior to delivery.
"Although the number of children exposed prenatally to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in this population was low, results suggest that exposure, especially during the first trimester, may modestly increase the risk of ASD," concluded the authors.
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