title: Prenatal antidepressant exposure and child behavioural outcomes at 7 years of age: a study within the Danish National Birth Cohort.
abstract: To investigate the impact of prenatal antidepressant exposure on behavioural problems in children at 7 years of age.
  
  
  
  Nationwide population-based study.
  
  
  
  Danish National Birth Cohort.
  
  
  
  A cohort of 49 178 pregnant women recruited between 1996 and 2002.
  
  
  
  Data obtained from computer-assisted telephone interviews twice during pregnancy were used to identify children born to: (i) depressed women who took antidepressants during pregnancy (n = 210); (ii) depressed women who did not take any antidepressants during pregnancy (n = 231); and (iii) healthy women who were not depressed (n = 48 737). Childhood behavioural problems at 7 years of age were examined using the validated Danish parent-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
  
  
  
  SDQ scores.
  
  
  
  No associations were observed between prenatal antidepressant exposure and abnormal SDQ scores for overall problem behaviour (adjusted relative risk, aRR 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 0.49-2.05), hyperactivity/inattention (aRR 0.99; 95% CI 0.56-1.75), or peer problems (aRR 1.04; 95% CI 0.57-1.91). Although prenatal antidepressant exposure appeared to be associated with abnormal SDQ scores on the subscales of emotional symptoms (aRR 1.68; 95% CI 1.18-2.38) and conduct problems (aRR 1.58; 95% CI 1.03-2.42), these associations were significantly attenuated following adjustment for antenatal mood status (aRR 1.20; 95% CI 0.85-1.70 and aRR 1.19; 95% CI 0.77 1.83, respectively). Untreated prenatal depression was associated with an increased risk of all behavioural outcomes evaluated, compared with unexposed children, with significant attenuation following adjustment for antenatal mood status.
  
  
  
  The results of this study suggest that independent of maternal illness, prenatal antidepressant exposure is not associated with an increased risk of behavioural problems in children at 7 years of age.
  
  
  
  Prenatal antidepressant exposure is not associated with an increased risk of child behavioural problems.
authors.affiliation: The Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Luke.Grzeskowiak@adelaide.edu.au.|SA Pharmacy, Pharmacy Department, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA, Australia. Luke.Grzeskowiak@adelaide.edu.au.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Grzeskowiak
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark.
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Henriksen
authors.affiliation: Section for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Bech
authors.affiliation: Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark.|Department of Public Health, Institute of General Medical Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Obel
authors.affiliation: Section for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents
keywords: Antidepressive agents; child development; pregnancy; prenatal exposure; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors