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Good News: New Studies Show No Association Between Antidepressants and Risk of Autism

Two recent epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an association between prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SSRIs) with autism spectrum disorders (ASD; Croen et al 2011, Rai et al, 2013).  One important imitation of these two studies is that parental psychiatric disorder in itself is associated with an increased risk of ASD in the offspring, and these studies could not distinguish between the effects of drug exposure and the consequences of the underlying maternal psychiatric illness.  Two new studies shed light on the association between prenatal antidepressant exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorder in the offspring.

By |2016-10-24T22:39:29-04:00February 5th, 2014|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off on Good News: New Studies Show No Association Between Antidepressants and Risk of Autism
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Folic Acid Supplements Before and After Conception: Prevention of Autism

In a recent editorial in The Annals of Internal Medicine entitled “Enough Is Enough: Stop Wasting Money on Vitamin and Mineral Supplements,” authors make a case that multivitamins are not a good value (Dec 17, 2013 issue).  This editorial was based on new research that demonstrated that there was no association between multivitamin use and rates of mortality, cognitive decline and recurrent cardiovascular events in three different studies.  The assertion that multivitamins are not worth the money was widely reported in the media.

By |2016-05-15T20:32:46-04:00January 29th, 2014|Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Prevention, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on Folic Acid Supplements Before and After Conception: Prevention of Autism
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Cognitive Development in Children Exposed to Levetiracetam (Keppra)

An increasing number of reproductive age women now take newer anticonvulsants for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders; however, information regarding the reproductive safety of these medications is limited.  A recent study has evaluated the cognitive and language development of children born to women with epilepsy exposed in utero to levetiracetam (LEV, Keppra) or sodium valproate (VPA, Depakote), as compared to control children born to women without epilepsy not taking medication during pregnancy.

By |2014-01-24T17:57:32-04:00January 14th, 2014|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off on Cognitive Development in Children Exposed to Levetiracetam (Keppra)
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Levetiracetam (Keppra) and Pregnancy

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).  A new report from the U.K. and Ireland Epilepsy and Pregnancy Registers suggests that the risk of malformations associated with levetiracetam (LVT, Keppra) use during pregnancy is low.

By |2025-06-26T09:08:11-04:00November 4th, 2013|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on Levetiracetam (Keppra) and Pregnancy
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Prenatal Exposure to Antiepileptic Drugs Associated with Worse Developmental Outcomes

We have previously written about studies which indicate that prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), particularly valproic acid, may adversely affect the developing fetus.  Numerous studies have documented long-term effects of antiepileptic exposure on cognitive functioning: prenatal exposure to AEDs has been associated with lower IQs, as well as lower scores on tests of executive functioning, memory, verbal and nonverbal abilities, in children at 6 yeas of age (Meador KJ et al, 2012).  These deficits were the most prominent in children exposed to valproic acid.

By |2025-06-26T09:08:12-04:00September 27th, 2013|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off on Prenatal Exposure to Antiepileptic Drugs Associated with Worse Developmental Outcomes
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Eating Disorders and Their Impact on Pregnancy Outcomes

Eating disorders are relatively common among women of reproductive age, yet the literature on the effects of maternal eating disorders (ED) on pregnancy outcomes is relatively sparse.  There has been concern that eating disorders may negatively affect gestational weight gain.  Previous studies have demonstrated an association between maternal anorexia nervosa (AN) (both active and past) and lower infant birthweight (as compared to women with no history of ED); however, calculations of the magnitude of this effect have been inconsistent. 

By |2015-08-05T14:52:16-04:00September 16th, 2013|Eating Disorders, Outcomes, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Pregnancy Outcomes|Comments Off on Eating Disorders and Their Impact on Pregnancy Outcomes
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More Data on the Use of Atypical Antipsychotics During Pregnancy

Despite the use of the newer “atypical” antipsychotic agents to treat a spectrum of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, PTSD and other anxiety disorders, three is relatively little data on the reproductive safety of these newer atypical agents.   

By |2024-04-14T16:17:26-04:00September 11th, 2013|Antipsychotic Medications, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on More Data on the Use of Atypical Antipsychotics During Pregnancy
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