title: Risks of untreated depression in pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In my family practice, I tell my female patients of reproductive age who have depression that untreated depression in pregnancy might be more harmful than the unproven risks of antidepressants. However, I recently read in a national news magazine that there is actually no evidence for this advice. Have I missed something?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  You did not miss anything, so you should continue to advise your pregnant patients as before. News magazines can have substantial bias, as the reporters often only interview "experts" who support their beliefs, as was probably the case in this article. Most glaringly, in this instance, no perinatal psychiatrists were interviewed and none of the experts were clinically involved with pregnant women. We believe that media statements like the one you mentioned might lead women to abruptly discontinue their antidepressants, putting themselves at risk of relapse, hospitalization, and even suicide. Your balancing role in providing your patient with evidence-based information is critical.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Aniket
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Natekar
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Einarson
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D047928:Premature Birth; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents