Researchers believe serotonin, the 'happy hormone' could get into the womb and harm the foetus' development
Thousands of women who take anti-depressants during pregnancy are
endangering their unborn babies, researchers have warned. The widely prescribed
pills have been found drastically to raise the odds of miscarriages, premature
birth, autism and life-threatening high blood pressure, they say.
Harvard researchers believe far too many women are taking the drugs
during pregnancy because their GPs are not aware of the dangers. They also
suspect that drug companies are trying to play down the risks because
anti-depressants are so lucrative to them. They focused on the complications
linked to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs), which include Prozac and Seroxat.
Between 2 and 3 per cent of pregnant women in the UK are thought to be
on these drugs – up to 19,500 every year. But the researchers have found that
they increase the risk of a miscarriage by 17 per cent and more than double the
likelihood of pre-eclampsia – high blood pressure during pregnancy – which can
be fatal. They also double the chances of the baby being born premature, or
developing autism.
In addition, the researchers say, the babies are more likely
to suffer from heart defects and problems with their bowels. SSRIs treat
depression by boosting the level of the ‘happy hormone’ serotonin in the brain.
But the researchers believe that serotonin is also getting into the womb and
harming the development of the foetus’s brain, lungs, heart and digestive
system.
Dr Adam Urato, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at
Tufts University School of Medicine, in Boston, who was involved in the study,
said: ‘I am absolutely concerned – very concerned. ‘We are witnessing a
large-scale human experiment. Never before have we chemically altered human
foetal development on such a large scale. 'And my concern is why I am trying to get the
word out to patients, health care providers, and the public.’
Dr Alice Domar, assistant professor in obstetrics, gynaecology and
reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School, said there was little evidence
the pills effectively treated depression.
GPs should be encouraging treatments like exercise, therapy and yoga instead of anti-depressants, said Dr Alice Domar
GPs should be encouraging treatments like exercise, therapy and yoga
instead of anti-depressants, said Dr Alice Domar She said GPs were handing out
prescriptions for the drugs even though depression could be far better treated
through exercise, talking therapies and even yoga. ‘These are probably not
particularly safe medicines to take during pregnancy,’ she said. ‘We’re not
saying that every pregnant woman should go off her medication. 'Obviously you
don’t want a pregnant woman to attempt suicide.’
The researchers, who presented their findings to the annual conference
of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in San Diego, California,
have analysed more than 100 existing studies looking at the risks of SSRIs. Their
findings are due to be published next week in the respected journal Human
Reproduction. The researchers say that if women take the pills when they are
trying for a baby but come off as soon as they find out they are pregnant, it
may be too late.
Dr Urato added: ‘Many of the experts in this area receive funding from
the anti-depressant majors. These experts continue to downplay the risks of
these agents and to promote the benefits of their use in pregnancy.’ A
spokesman for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry said: ‘Clinical
decisions about the treatment of depression are complex and must be made by
clinicians in consultation with individual patients, regardless of whether or
not they are pregnant.’
Daily Mail UK
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