Essential Reads: Prenatal Exposure to Benzodiazepines and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
The largest study to date observes no increase in risk of autism or ADHD in children with prenatal exposure to benzodiazepines.
The largest study to date observes no increase in risk of autism or ADHD in children with prenatal exposure to benzodiazepines.
Peer support interventions can reduce the incidence of postpartum depression and the severity of depressive symptoms.
All of our information on the reproductive safety of medications comes from non-randomized studies. However, many of these studies fail to take into consideration other factors associated with maternal psychiatric illness which may also affect outcomes.
While many peri- and post-menopausal women request bioidentical hormones, there is no data to suggest that bioidential hormones are safer or more effective than FDA-approved hormone replacement therapies.
The use of valproic acid during pregnancy is associated with a significant increase in risk of major malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders. Given these risks, should it be a treatment option for women of childbearing age?
Analyzing data from nearly 150,000 children with prenatal antidepressant exposure in two healthcare databases, a recent study finds no association between prenatal exposure to antidepressants and risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Despite the unequivocal benefits of folic acid supplementation and recommendations urging all women of reproductive age to take folic acid supplements, preconceptual use of folic acid has not increased substantially.
While data are limited regarding AEDs and breastfeeding, it appears that none of the AEDs are excreted at high levels into the breast milk, nor have they been associated with high rates of adverse events in the nursing infant.
Women with postpartum psychosis are at risk for recurrent illness, but we have limited data regarding risk factors for recurrence.
Prenatal opioid use is associated with increased maternal and infant mortality, prematurity, and poor neonatal outcomes.