IQ - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Exposure to Maternal Depression – Not Antidepressants – Predicts Worse Outcomes in Children

While data accumulated over the last 30 years suggest that certain antidepressants may be used with relative safety during pregnancy, our knowledge regarding the risks of prenatal exposure to psychotropic medications is incomplete. Because neuronal migration and differentiation occur throughout pregnancy and into the early years of life, development of the central nervous system (CNS) remains particularly vulnerable throughout pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-10T14:09:05-04:00November 7th, 2012|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|2 Comments

Lithium Use During Pregnancy: What are the Long-Term Effects?

While we have data on the use of lithium use during pregnancy with regard to risk for congenital malformations, there is much less information on the long-term effects of lithium on neurodevelopment. A recent study from the Perinatal Center of the Leiden University Medical Center provides some reassuring data on the long-term effects of lithium exposure.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:27:08-04:00September 5th, 2012|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|3 Comments

Outcomes of Children Exposed to Antiepileptic Drugs in Pregnancy: No Good News for Valproate

There have long been concerns regarding the use of the anticonvulsant valproate (Depakote) during pregnancy. First trimester use of valproate has been associated with a 3-5% risk of neural tube defects, as well as an increased risk of other malformations affecting the heart. In addition, recent reports have indicated that in utero exposure to valproate may also result in lower IQ.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:19:47-04:00June 26th, 2012|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|1 Comment

From the North American AED Pregnancy Registry: The Newer Anticonvulsants Appear to Be Safer

While it is well-established that several of the older anticonvulsants, including valproate (Depakote), carry a significant teratogenic risk, less is known about the reproductive safety of the newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The North American AED Pregnancy Registry was established in 1997 for pregnant women in the United States and Canada at the Massachusetts General Hospital. The purpose of the registry is to obtain and publish information on the frequency of major malformations among infants whose mothers have taken one or more AEDs during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:38:21-04:00June 13th, 2012|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|1 Comment

Fetal Exposure to Valproate Associated with Lower IQ

There have long been concerns regarding the use of the anticonvulsant valproate (Depakote) during pregnancy. First trimester use of valproate has been associated with a 3-5% risk of neural tube defects, as well as an increased risk of other malformations affecting the heart, limbs, and genitals. A recent report published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that in utero exposure to valproate may also result in lower IQ.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:22:13-04:00April 24th, 2009|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|0 Comments