Neurodevelopment of children exposed to maternal antidepressant drugs throughout gestation: A prospective controlled study

The objective of this study was to separate the effects of tricyclic antidepressant drugs (TCA) and fluoxetine taken throughout gestation on measures of child IQ, language and temperament from the effects of maternal depression and other confounders. Prospective, controlled, blinded assessment of mother-child pairs exposed in utero to TCA (n=46), fluoxetine (n=40) and an unexposed comparison group (n=36). The statistical analysis was adjusted for independent variables which may affect the outcomes of interest, including duration and severity of maternal depression, maternal IQ and socioeconomic class, smoking, and alcohol. Neither TCA nor fluoxetine affected child global IQ, language development or temperament. In TCA group lower gestational age was associated with duration of depression, lower verbal comprehension was associated with the number of depression episodes after delivery. Exposure to TCA or fluoxetine throughout gestation does not adversely affect the neurodevelopment of preschool and school children.