Prenatal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use and the risk of autism spectrum disorder in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
To determine whether an up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies would support the previously suggested associations regarding prenatal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use and the risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children.



PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Reprotox databases were searched; observational studies with an exposed and unexposed group were included.



The meta-analysis of case-control studies demonstrated a significantly increased risk of ASD in the children whose mothers were prenatally exposed to SSRIs during different exposure time windows (except third trimester). The qualitative review of the cohort studies suggested inconsistent findings.



The significant association between preconception-only SSRI exposure and ASD in the children and negative/inconsistent findings among cohort studies weaken the significant associations detected in this meta-analysis. We suggest that confounding by indication still cannot be ruled out regarding prenatal SSRI exposure and ASD in children.
Terafar - Izmir Katip Celebi University Teratology Information, Training and Research Center, Izmir, Turkey; Izmir Katip Celebi University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology Izmir, Turkey. Electronic address: seawise@gmail.com.
Yusuf C
YC
Kaplan
Terafar - Izmir Katip Celebi University Teratology Information, Training and Research Center, Izmir, Turkey; Izmir Katip Celebi University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology Izmir, Turkey.
Elif
E
Keskin-Arslan
Terafar - Izmir Katip Celebi University Teratology Information, Training and Research Center, Izmir, Turkey; Izmir Katip Celebi University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology Izmir, Turkey.
Selin
S
Acar
Izmir Katip Celebi University School of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Izmir, Turkey.
Kaan
K
Sozmen
D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012306:Risk; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Antidepressants; Antidepressive agents; Autism; Autism spectrum disorder; Autistic disorder; Pregnancy; SSRI; Serotonin uptake inhibitors