Prenatal SSRI Exposure, Maternal and Child Genotype, and Autism Spectrum Disorders

The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has increased rapidly over recent decades. Among many environmental exposures that have also increased in frequency is the use of anti-depressant medications during pregnancy. Approximately 10% of pregnant women are prescribed selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) SSRIs and other anti-depressant medication cross the placenta and are secreted in breast milk, thus raising concerns about adverse effects on the fetus or infant. This study will expand upon previous findings of an association between prenatal SSRI exposure and autism risk by utilizing data and biospecimens already collected in the SEED study to explore main and joint effects of maternal antidepressant use, maternal psychiatric disease history, and maternal and child genetic susceptibility.

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