A study published July 5, 2011, in the Archives of General Psychiatry, Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy and Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorders, reports that mothers exposed to SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy, such as Paxil, Zoloft or Prozac, have an increased of having a child born with autism.

The study conducted by researchers at The Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in Northern California, included 298 case children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and 1507 randomly selected control children drawn from the membership of theKaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in Northern California. The researchers found a 2-fold increased risk of ASD associated with treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors by the mother during the year before delivery (adjusted odds ratio, 2.2 [95% confidence interval, 1.2-4.3]), with nearly a 4-fold increase associated with treatment during the first trimester (adjusted odds ratio, 3.8 [95% confidence interval, 1.8-7.8]).

Our affiliate attorneys are now reviewing cases in which children were born to mothers who took SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy. The drugs involved include:

1. Prozac
2. Paxil
3. Zoloft
4. Celexa
5. Lexapro
6. Wellbutrin

If you or a loved one took antidepressants during pregnancy and have a child with autism please contact us at (877) 917-5250.