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Antidepressants jeopardize pregnancy
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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There has long been a heated debate about the safety of antidepressants for pregnant women. And a new study by Israeli scientists is likely to keep the conversation going.
Experts from the Beth Medical Center in Israel have found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the antidepressants that are prescribed as first-line drugs, should be used with extreme caution in pregnant women. They say their use is linked to premature births, miscarriages, autism, and developmental delays in newborns.
"We are very concerned. We are witnessing a real large-scale experiment being conducted on humans. Never in our history have we chemically altered the embryonic development of a fetus on such a large scale," the experts say.
The researchers highlight three key points from their review: “First, it is clear that these antidepressants are associated with worse pregnancy outcomes when used by pregnant women. Second, there is no evidence that SSRIs improve outcomes for mothers and babies. And third, we strongly believe that prescribers should be aware of this information and understand the potential negative effects,” said lead author Dr. Adam Urato.
Antidepressant use has increased 400 percent in the past 20 years. Antidepressants are now the most commonly prescribed medication among people aged 18 to 44.
Women who have problems with the ability to have children and are treated for infertility are especially vulnerable and prone to depression.
"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one percent of babies born in the United States each year are the result of IVF," the authors write. "And most women report symptoms of depression during infertility treatment, especially after unsuccessful cycles."
Read also: IVF procedure causes problems in sex
Experts have found that eleven percent of women who took antidepressants during infertility treatment not only did not experience improvement in their condition, but on the contrary, the risk of possible disorders only increased.
There is little evidence that SSRIs provide benefits, but there is plenty of information about their potential dangers.
" Preterm birth is perhaps the most common complication," the authors say. "More than 30 studies indicate that pregnant women taking antidepressants are at the highest risk."
Complications associated with taking these drugs can be observed not only in newborns, but also at an older age. Babies exposed to antidepressants in the womb often suffer from behavioral syndrome: babies are often capricious, nervous, and there are also problems with feeding the child. Studies have also shown that there is a delay in motor development in infants and toddlers.
"There are isolated cases where a pregnant woman needs treatment with antidepressants, but for women with mild to moderate depression, there are very effective alternatives to these drugs," the scientists conclude.
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