Prenatal exposure to depression linked to neurodevelopmental disorders
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Children of mothers with depression had higher rates of certain neurodevelopmental disorders regardless of whether they were exposed to antidepressants in the womb, according to a new study led by Saraid McIlvride of the University of Glasgow, U.K. The study was published Sept. 29 in the journal PLOS Medicine.
Antidepressant use during pregnancy is increasing, but the long-term effects of these drugs on child development remain unclear. Untreated depression during pregnancy carries its own risks, however, making it challenging for someone with depression to decide whether to take medication during pregnancy.
In the new study, researchers followed more than 167,000 children born in Wales between 2009 and 2016 through 2022. Using medical and school records, they looked for links between mothers' depression diagnoses or antidepressant use and their children's special educational needs, including diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or learning, behavioral, emotional or social difficulties.
They found that children of women who received antidepressant treatment had higher rates of certain neurodevelopmental disorders than children of women with depression who did not receive treatment. However, women with more severe depression are more likely to be prescribed antidepressants, which could affect the results. Analyses comparing treated depression, untreated depression and antidepressant exposure without depression showed that antidepressant exposure was associated with an additional 6.3 cases per 100 children in those not exposed to depression and an additional 2.9 cases per 100 children in those exposed to depression.
The researchers conclude that children of mothers with depression have a higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders regardless of whether they were exposed to antidepressants, but medication may carry an additional risk. They caution that any potential risk of treatment should be balanced against the risks of untreated depression in mothers, which is associated with a higher risk of postpartum depression.
The authors add, "We showed that if women with depression took antidepressants while pregnant, their children were more likely to have special educational needs, but it was only a very slight increase and may have been due to them having more severe depression, rather than an effect of the medicine.
"Among children of mothers with depression, 24 in every 100 children had special educational needs if the mother was not receiving treatment, and this increased by just 3 in every 100 children if she was taking antidepressants. This is compared with 20 in every 100 children for those not exposed to depression or antidepressants in the womb.
"Our results don't suggest that women should automatically stop taking their antidepressants because depression can harm both mother and baby if not treated. Women should always speak to their doctor about what is best in their situation.
"Our study indicates that exposure to antidepressants during pregnancy could serve as a marker for additional support being needed at school.
"Linking routinely collected data on mothers and babies and being able to follow their health and development over time is an amazing resource that can support research into maternal mental health, an area that urgently needs more attention.
"Further studies are needed to empower women with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions, together with their doctor or midwife, about their own health as well as their baby's."
Publication details
Prenatal exposure to maternal depression and antidepressants and neurodevelopmental outcomes: A population cohort study, PLOS Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004658
Journal information: PLoS Medicine
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PregnancyPsychology & Mental healthPsychiatryPediatricsObstetrics & gynecologyChildren's health Provided by Public Library of Science Who's behind this story?
Gaby Clark
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