Certain antidepressants may be safe enough for pregnant mothers to take, according to studies published in the "New England Journal of Medicine." Known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, the antidepressants do not raise the risk of complications in babies born to mothers who take the drugs. Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa fall under this category.
Experts at Boston University's Sloane Epidemiology Center say no large risks were found among the babies of those who took SSRIs in the study of more than 16,000 infants. But some association was found between the use of Zoloft and heart defects in infants. In addition, a link between the use of Paxil and infant lung complications was also noted. Yet, the researchers say even if the drug increased the risk rate by a factor of four, the risk would still add up to less that 1 percent.
A second study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found no link between the use of SSRIs during pregnancy and an increased risk of most birth defects, including congenital heart defects. The scientists did note associations between certain brain and heart defects, but, again, found the absolute risk to be miniscule.
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