We often talk about the importance of planning for pregnancy. In these discussions, we emphasize the importance of supplementation with folic acid as a means of decreasing risk for birth defects and improving neurodevelopmental [...]
Concerns regarding a link between antidepressant use during pregnancy and autism emerged when two epidemiologic studies demonstrated an association between prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SSRIs) with an increased risk of autism [...]
Current research suggests that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) occur as a result of events that take place during pregnancy. While genetic factors play an important role, non-heritable risk factors contribute to a substantial proportion of [...]
Several studies have observed that fetal exposure to the antiepileptic drug (AED), valproic acid (Depakote), may significantly increase the risk of having a child with an autism spectrum disorder. In contrast, exposures to other AEDs, [...]
It’s only been a few days since Johns Hopkins released the preliminary results of a study on folate levels and autism, and we have already received calls and emails regarding the findings. Unfortunately the [...]
Big data is changing the face of medicine, yielding information that may drastically change how we practice medicine. In the field of perinatal psychiatry, we are now seeing more and more studies which rely on [...]
Earlier this week, JAMA Pediatrics released the findings of a study which suggested that prenatal exposure to antidepressants may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Not surprisingly, this has created a considerable amount [...]
Last week was National Folic Acid Awareness Week at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), so this seems like a great time to remind women (and their caregivers) of the importance of folic acid in the prevention of birth defects. By taking the recommended dosage of folic acid daily, women will reduce the risk of neural tube defects by 50% - 70%. In addition, women who take folic acid supplements are less likely to give birth to a child with an autism spectrum disorder.
The European Medicine Agency (EMA)'s Pharmacovigilance and Risk Assessment Committee recently recommended strengthening the restrictions on the use of valproic acid in women of reproductive age. Over the last few years, we have seen a host of articles documenting the deleterious effects of valproic acid on the developing fetus:
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), which include childhood autism, autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, atypical autism, and other pervasive developmental disorders, are characterized by social and communication difficulties and by stereotyped or repetitive behaviors and interests. It [...]
