Conflicting Studies Regarding Birth Defects and Anti-Depressants

How Common Anti-Depressants Work

The commonly prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are used to treat mild to severe depression and some anxiety disorders. These drugs work within the brain causing neurotransmitters to decrease the amount of serotonin that's absorbed resulting in an increased level of serotonin. This elevated level of serotonin aids in brain chemical movement causing improvement in the mood of those taking it.

Conflicting Studies About Anti-Depressants and Birth Defects

A 2007 study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine revealed that women taking SSRIs during early pregnancy were not at greater risk of the fetus having congenital heart defects. While this study indicates that some SSRIs when used during pregnancy may not cause heart defects, it did indicate an slightly raised risk for neural tube defects.

Other studies indicate that it causes significant risk of heart defects. In 2011, a study by Danish and American scientists indicated a link between SSRIs and heart issues in infants. The results state that women taking SSRIs in the first trimester of pregnancy have a 60 percent greater risk of fetal heart problems than women not taking the drugs.

Neural Tube Defects

Common types of birth defects are neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly.

Spina bifida occurs when the vertebrae do not form properly around the nerves of the spinal cord. Spina bifida is mostly treatable and some babies grow to have normal, functional lives. When most people think of spina bifida, they think of the most severe form, known as myelomeningocele. This form is the most severe case and is extremely rare. When babies have myelomeningocele, the spinal nerves push out from the spinal column and create a prominent lump. These nerves become damaged over time resulting in various disabilities and inability to do daily tasks.

Anencephaly happens when the skull and brain don't form correctly during the first few weeks of pregnancy. As a result, brain tissue and bone are exposed to amniotic fluid and break down over time. Infants with anencephaly almost always die before birth or within hours afterward.

Heart Defects

Many heart defects aren't serious, but some require surgery or transplant to give babies a chance for survival. The more serious heart defects include:

• Aortic coarction--narrowing of the aorta which causes poor blood flow throughout the body. This defect requires surgery.
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome-a malformation of the left side of the heart including the mitral vavle, ventricles, and aorta. Babies with this defect often die before birth or shortly after if they don't get a transplant right away.
• Pulmonary Stenosis-a narrow pulmonary valve results in poor blood flow to the lungs. Surgery is required.
• Septal defect-a hole forms between the left and right sides of the heart causing a decrease in the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. Open heart surgery is necessary for survival.

Most medications that women take during pregnancy are safe. The chance of your baby being born with birth defects is very rare and many women deliver perfect, healthy babies. Your doctor will discuss risks and benefits and work with you to provide the best treatment options for you during your pregnancy.