New information suggests women using antidepressants during pregnancy could be exposing their newborns to autism spectrum disorder
Investigators from the University of Montreal are alerting the public to a potentially serious health issue affecting women whereby the use of antidepressants during pregnancy could lead to the birth of a child suffering from autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
"Use of antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, during the second and/or third trimester increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder in children, even after considering maternal depression," Anick Bérard, a pharmacy professor at the University of Montreal and her team said in JAMA Pediatrics.
Bérard, and her team analyzed Quebec birth data between 1998 and 2009 in combination with information about antidepressant prescriptions in the province and medical claims for ASD.
The study found that mothers who obtained at least one prescription for antidepressants in their second or third trimester were almost twice as likely of having an autistic child. Patients taking drugs such as Prozac or Paxil had an even greater chance of giving birth to a child with ASD.
Why should advisors care?
Well, besides the fact it’s a serious health issue that could affect one or more of your clients, it’s a reminder why critical illness insurance is so important to clients with newborns.
The Co-Operators offers what’s called the Critical Assist Head Start for Children, a program that provides funds to support the care and recovery from one of 36 conditions, including autism.
The benefits are paid in a tax-free lump sum, ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 depending on the coverage needed. Children are eligible for the plan at 30 days old until aged 17 and the policy expires at the anniversary nearest age 75.
That said it is important that advisors don’t overplay this situation.
"Moms need to understand that it is still a rare event, that we have more than a 98 per cent chance of having a typically developing child that doesn't have ASD," said Anagnostou, Canada research chair translational therapeutics in autism and an associate professor at the University of Toronto. "When they speak to their physician, the discussion should be about the wellness of themselves, their own mental health and their ability to raise the child that's come into this world. Plus they should also know that untreated depression is also associated with somewhat higher number of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes."
"Use of antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, during the second and/or third trimester increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder in children, even after considering maternal depression," Anick Bérard, a pharmacy professor at the University of Montreal and her team said in JAMA Pediatrics.
Bérard, and her team analyzed Quebec birth data between 1998 and 2009 in combination with information about antidepressant prescriptions in the province and medical claims for ASD.
The study found that mothers who obtained at least one prescription for antidepressants in their second or third trimester were almost twice as likely of having an autistic child. Patients taking drugs such as Prozac or Paxil had an even greater chance of giving birth to a child with ASD.
Why should advisors care?
Well, besides the fact it’s a serious health issue that could affect one or more of your clients, it’s a reminder why critical illness insurance is so important to clients with newborns.
The Co-Operators offers what’s called the Critical Assist Head Start for Children, a program that provides funds to support the care and recovery from one of 36 conditions, including autism.
The benefits are paid in a tax-free lump sum, ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 depending on the coverage needed. Children are eligible for the plan at 30 days old until aged 17 and the policy expires at the anniversary nearest age 75.
That said it is important that advisors don’t overplay this situation.
"Moms need to understand that it is still a rare event, that we have more than a 98 per cent chance of having a typically developing child that doesn't have ASD," said Anagnostou, Canada research chair translational therapeutics in autism and an associate professor at the University of Toronto. "When they speak to their physician, the discussion should be about the wellness of themselves, their own mental health and their ability to raise the child that's come into this world. Plus they should also know that untreated depression is also associated with somewhat higher number of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes."
