Management of depression during pregnancy poses many challenges not only to expecting mothers but also to the health professionals who care for them. Existing research does indicate the overall safety of using antidepressant medications during pregnancy. However, it also shows that there is no clear right or wrong answer to the question of 'to treat or not to treat'. Ultimately, it is our objective to add to existing knowledge and enable more informed decision-making by women and their care-givers.
The Fetal and Newborn Behavior study looks at
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The effects of prenatal (before birth) use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs), benzodiazepines, and/or other psychotropic (mood altering) treatments on the developing child before and after birth.
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Fetal learning and language development.
Why we are doing the study
By studying the behavior of babies before and after delivery, the study team is working to answer some questions about the impacts of antidepressant medications used during pregnancy. Furthermore, by studying language development, we want to determine if infants exposed to psychotropic medications respond to speech like infants who are not exposed to medications. We want to see if babies from both groups will develop, and experience a decline in, sensitivity to speech sounds and visual language information that is not part of their native language.
We welcome the participation of
- Healthy pregnant women,
- Pregnant women who are taking an antidepressant (Celexa®, Effexor®, Paxil®, Prozac®, Zoloft®), benzodiazepine, and/or other psychotropic treatments (such as Valium®),
- Pregnant women who have chosen not to take medication for their depression.
Background and Previous Work
Led by Tim Oberlander MD, a practicing Developmental Pediatrician and Child Health Researcher, in collaboration with Dr. Shaila Misri, Director of Reproductive Mental Health at BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre, this study stems from previous studies on the effects of prenatal exposure to antidepressant medication on depressed mother's mood. Expanding from this earlier work, the current study is working with pregnant women and their infants to further define how mother's mood and antidepressant medication use during pregnancy influences early brain development and behavior. If you're interested in learning more about Dr. Oberlander’s findings so far, please refer to the list of papers at the bottom of this page.
Our Research Setting
The Fetal and Newborn Behavior study is based out of the Early Human Experience Unit in the Centre for Community Child Health Research at the Child & Family Research Institute.
Published papers
Below is a list of papers written by Dr. Tim Oberlander and his colleagues, which highlight the recent findings in regards to prenatal exposure to antidepressant medications. For a copy of any of these papers, please send us an email at fetalstudy1@gmail.com, indicating which paper(s) you would like us to send you.
- Prenatal Exposure to Maternal Depression, Neonatal Methylation of Human Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene (NR3C1) and Infant Cortisol Stress Responses.
- Major Congenital Malformations Following Prenatal Exposure to Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Benzodiazepines Using Population-based Health Data.
- Infant Serotonin Transporter (SLC6A4) Promoter Genotype is Associated With Adverse Neonatal Outcomes After Prenatal Exposure to Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Medications.
- Effects of Timing and Duration of Gestational Exposure to Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressants: Population-based Study.
- Externalizing and Attentional Behaviors in Children of Depressed Mothers Treated with a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressant During Pregnancy.
- Internalizing Behaviors in 4-year-old Children Exposed in Utero to Psychotropic Medications.
- Neonatal Outcomes After Prenatal Exposure to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressants and Maternal Depression Using Population-linked Health Data.
- Pain Reactivity in 2-month-old Infants After Prenatal and Postnatal Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Medication Exposure.
- Pharmacologic Factors Associated with Transient Neonatal Symptoms Following Prenatal Psychotropic Medication Exposure.
- Relation Between Prenatal Maternal Mood and Anxiety and Neonatal Health.
- Prolonged Prenatal Psychotropic Medication Exposure Alters Neonatal Acute Pain Response.