Titled “Infant and childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes following prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: overview and design of a Finnish Register-Based Study (FinESSI).”, an article by a team of prominent SSRI-birth defect researchers led by H. Malm (2012) published in BMC Psychiatry makes great strides in elucidating the range of adverse effects of prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs (SSRIs).

Malm et al. (2012) write “Experimental animal studies and one population-based study have suggested an increased risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome after prenatal exposure to SSRIs. We describe the methods and design of a population-based study examining the association between prenatal SSRI exposure and neurodevelopment until age 14.”

Using nationalized birth registers from Finland, the study included “845,345 women and their live-born, singleton offspring aged 14 or younger and born during Jan 1st 1996-Dec 31st 2010.”  The team states, “We will compare the prevalence of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring exposed prenatally to SSRIs to offspring exposed to prenatal depression and unexposed to SSRIs.”

Results showed that “Of all pregnant women with pregnancy ending in delivery (n=859,359), 1.9% used SSRIs. The prevalence of diagnosed depression and depression-related psychiatric disorders within one year before or during pregnancy was 1.7%. The cumulative incidence of registered psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders was 6.9% in 2010 among all offspring born during the study period (age range 0-14 years).”

As such, they concluded that “The study has the potential for significant public health importance in providing information on prenatal exposure to SSRIs and long-term neurodevelopment.”

If you or a loved one use SSRIs while pregnant and your child was born with a birth defect, your family may be entitled to significant financial compensation through an SSRI birth defect lawsuit.  For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of SSRI birth defect lawyers at the information provided below.  We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve.  Call today and see how we can help.

(855) 452 – 5529

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Our SSRI Birth Defects Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about SSRIs and Birth Defects.