A sweeping review published in Lancet Psychiatry found that commonly used antidepressants taken before or during pregnancy are not meaningfully linked to higher odds of autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children once parental mental health and family factors are taken into account. The systematic review and meta-analysis examined 37 observational studies encompassing more than half a million pregnancies in which antidepressants were used, alongside roughly 25 million pregnancies without such exposure.
Initial Concerns, Then Adjustment
Before statistical adjustments, the data appeared worrisome. Researchers found that maternal antidepressant use during pregnancy appeared to be linked with about a 35% higher risk of ADHD and a 69% higher risk of autism without intellectual disability. However, once the team adjusted for maternal psychiatric history, family factors, and other confounders, those apparent risk increases mostly weakened or disappeared. Similar patterns emerged for fathers taking antidepressants during the pregnancy period and for mothers using them before pregnancy, suggesting shared familial or genetic vulnerability rather than direct drug effects on the fetus.
Limited Exceptions
The review did identify a few notable wrinkles. When researchers focused on older tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline, they found associations with greater ADHD and autism risk in children of mothers who already had pre-existing, often more severe mental-health conditions. This signal may reflect the severity of the mothers’ illness or their past treatment histories rather than a straightforward drug effect, according to the analysis.
Clinical Guidance
Both study authors and outside clinicians caution against stopping antidepressants during pregnancy based on the findings. Suddenly stopping these medications can worsen depression and create additional risks for both mother and baby. For people with milder symptoms, talking therapies may be the preferred starting point. Those with moderate to severe illness are urged to discuss with their obstetric and mental-health providers whether to continue medication, adjust the dose, or combine drugs with therapy. Experts noted that observational research cannot definitively prove cause and effect and called for additional work on biological mechanisms involved.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://hoodline.com/2026/05/huge-study-torpedoes-fears-antidepressants-in-pregnancy-not-tied-to-autism-or-adhd/