SSRI use causes children to experience headaches and problems with balance to require surgery
Maternal antidepressant use may be associated with structural brain changes in infants, according to a recent study lead by Rebecca Knickmeyer, PhD. an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The study showed that the offspring of mothers who used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI – antidepressants) during pregnancy were significantly more likely to develop Chiari type I brain malformation (CIM).
Some of these defects caused the children to experience headaches and problems with balance severe enough to require surgery.
The most commonly used antidepressant by the mothers in the study was sertraline (Zoloft, Pfizer Inc), followed by fluoxetine and citalopram.
Overall, the study found a striking increase in the brain abnormality CIM in children with prenatal SSRI exposure.
Recently, a doctor group has sought to limit antipsychotics use, including antidepressants, due to harmful side effects in infants, children, adolescents and adults. Hopefully this group will help convince their fellow doctors against the widespread prescription of these dangerous medications. See Doctor Group seeks to Limit Antipsychotics use due to Harmful Side Effects
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