Lithium prescribing during pregnancy sits in a knot of competing risks. The teratogenicity data have been recalibrated dramatically since the 1970s, while the postpartum-relapse data have moved in the opposite direction. Most popular framing still treats lithium as a uniquely dangerous fetal exposure to be avoided when possible. The new Chauhan UK cohort shows what …
For two decades, headlines have linked autism to maternal obesity, depression, anxiety, gestational diabetes, infection, autoimmune disease, and antidepressant use. The studies behind those headlines are well-replicated registry associations. A new design from the Aarhus University iPSYCH group offers the most careful answer yet to what they mean for an individual pregnancy. Most “maternal X …
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health issue affecting many new mothers, impacting their well-being and their ability to bond with their child. Recent research suggests that inflammation could play a crucial role in the development of depression, opening the door to innovative treatments. A new case report highlights the potential of celecoxib, an …
New research has just surfaced from Johns Hopkins indicating that there is likely a link between prenatal exposure to antidepressant drugs and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as other developmental delays (DD) among boys. This is highly concerning for pregnant mothers who have made the choice to stay on antidepressants throughout their pregnancy, particularly …
Most people understand that it is common sense to avoid drugs and alcohol during pregnancy. Various drugs and other substances have been shown to cause birth defects and developmental problems among babies. It is well documented that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth defects, and even smoking marijuana while pregnant could put a child …