This past April, a piece by R.A. Harrington and a team from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health published in Pediatrics titled “Prenatal SSRI Use and Offspring With Autism Spectrum Disorder or Developmental Delay.” further illustrates the link between prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs (SSRIs) and increased risk for autism and congenital malformations including heart defects, neurological birth defects, and other adverse birth outcomes.
The objective of this article was to “examine associations between prenatal use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the odds of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and other developmental delays (DDs).”
In all, 966 children with either autism (492), developmental delay (154), or normal development (also called “typical development,” or TD) (320) were studied. Results showed that “overall, prevalence of prenatal SSRI exposure was lowest in TD children (3.4%) but did not differ significantly from ASD (5.9%) or DD (5.2%) children.” This shows that a higher percent of children who have autism or developmental delay were exposed to SSRIs before birth.
The team also found that “Among boys, prenatal SSRI exposure was nearly 3 times as likely in children with ASD relative to TD (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-7.93); the strongest association occurred with first-trimester exposure (OR: 3.22; 95% CI: 1.17-8.84).” Autistic boys were about three times as likely to have prenatal SSRI exposure. The same was true for boys with developmental delay.
As such, the team concluded that “In boys, prenatal exposure to SSRIs may increase susceptibility to ASD or DD.” Because a number of women have used SSRIs in pregnancy unaware of these and other serious risks, SSRI birth defect lawsuits are currently being filed all over the world.
If you or a loved one used SSRIs and gave birth to a child with a congenital malformation or who had perinatal complications, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. 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
Our SSRI Birth Defects Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about SSRIs and Birth Defects.