Canada Prescription Antidepressants during Pregnancy Linked to Lung Risks in Babies

Jan 26
07:36

2012

Remcel Mae P. Canete

Remcel Mae P. Canete

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Females who take Canadian prescription drug like antidepressants called selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy have slight threats of having an infant with high blood pressure in the lungs.

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Females who take  Canadian prescription drug  likeantidepressants called selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy have slight threats of having an infant with high blood pressure in the lungs. 

"Infants born to women treated with SSRIs in late pregnancy had a twofold increased risk [of] their infants having persistent pulmonary hypertension," said lead researcher Dr. Helle Kieler,Canada Prescription Antidepressants during Pregnancy Linked to Lung Risks in Babies Articles head of the Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm. 

"The increased risk seemed to be a class effect of SSRIs, as risks for the specific SSRIs were of similar magnitude," she added. 

"If possible, non-medical treatment for depression during pregnancy should be considered," she said. "For women where treatment with an SSRI is the only or best option, the choice of substance is of less importance." 

Dr. Gideon Koren, director of the Motherisk Program at The Hospital for Sick Children at the University of Toronto and author of an accompanying journal editorial, said this finding does not prove that SSRIs cause persistent pulmonary hypertension. 

"It is important that, before we scare pregnant women not to treat their depression in pregnancy, we ensure that the science overcomes its methodological limitations," he said.  That is, before pregnant women decide to  buy Celexa  it is suggested to consult their doctor. 

"Most notably, the authors have chosen SSRIs as the potential cause for persistent pulmonary hypertension, while their results show that untreated depression can also do it," Koren said. 

Based on these data, "we cannot yet conclude that use of SSRIs causes persistent pulmonary hypertension in some babies," he said. 

Another expert, Dr. Ilene Sosenko, a professor of pediatrics and neonatology at the University of Miami School of Medicine, said this study won't change clinical practice. 

"The risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension is very low and even though there is a higher risk with SSRIs, the risk remains extremely low," she said. "From a clinical standpoint, the risk is not increased to the point where it would change the pattern of the way doctors are managing their pregnant women," she said. 

"Depression can impact on how the mother eats or whether she takes other drugs or whether she gets her prenatal care," she said. "Although there is a very small increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension, the benefit of remaining on SSRI medication is important." 

With the risks involved,  Canadian pharmacy online  discourages the use of antidepressant while pregnant.  It is still better to be with a group of people who keeps you happy.