New Study Links Autism to SSRI Use

The New York Times reported that two new studies were published linking pre-natal exposure to S.S.R.Is and other enviornmental factors to an increase risk of autism.

According to one new study,  mothers who use S.S.R.I.’s (Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa and Lexapro) during the year before pregnancy have an elevated risk (2.1) of having a chid with autism. The risk slightly increased to 2.3 percent for use in the first trimester of pregnancy.

A second study examining the causes of autism found that environmental factors, including conditions in the womb, can increase the risk.  Researchers looked at 192 pairs of identical and fraternal twins whose cases were drawn from California databases. At least one twin in each pair had the classic form of autism, which is marked by extreme social withdrawal, communication problems and repetitive behaviors. In some cases, the other twin also had classic autism or a milder “autism spectrum” disorder like Asperger’s syndrome.

Clara Lajonchere, an author of the twin study and vice president of clinical programs for the research and advocacy organization Autism Speaks, said that “much more emphasis is going to be put on looking at prenatal and perinatal factors with respect to autism susceptibility.”

She added, “We need to not just study the environmental factors, but the relation between the genes and the environment.”

“For pregnant women or those thinking about having a family,” she said, “prenatal care is critical, and if a pregnant woman is taking any kinds of medication, she should work closely with a physician.”