Studies: Antidepressants OK For Moms-To-Be

(CBS/AP)  Newborns face little risk of birth defects from antidepressants taken by many women early in pregnancy, say the reassuring findings of the two biggest studies of this controversial link.

The research focuses on the class of drugs chosen most often for depression and anxiety, including the brands Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft.

Paxil carries a warning of possible heart defects in newborns, and experts don't expect the new research to change that. However, they find the new studies comforting for women struggling with depression.

The possibility of birth defects from antidepressants has put doctors and patients in a tricky quandary. Birth defects obviously hurt newborns, but depressed mothers who can't give proper care also endanger their babies.

When Diana Morales found out she was pregnant again, she was thrilled... but anxious. On top of balancing marriage, career and motherhood, she was battling clinical depression. Morales was taking the anti-depressant Lexapro, one of a class of drugs that includes Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac.

"I knew that I wouldn't be well during my pregnancy if I didn't take my medication. And if I'm not well, then I really can't be the best mom," Morales told CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller.

Confusing matters, researchers have wondered if the concern about birth defects should extend beyond Paxil to this entire class of drugs, known as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. The two latest studies, appearing Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine, relieve some of that worry, say birth specialists.

"Yeah, there's a risk, but the risk overall is probably pretty small," said Dr. Susan Ramin, obstetrics chairman at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, who was familiar with the findings.

The two studies — one from the federal Centers for Disease Control and the other from Boston University — use more cases of birth defects than previous research to consider links between the abnormalities and SSRIs. The Boston University study was funded partly by the National Institutes of Health and Paxil maker GlaxoSmithKline PLC.

Together, the two studies looked at 19,471 newborns with birth defects and 9,952 without them. Then they considered what SSRIs the mothers in both groups took during the first three months of pregnancy and mapped the patterns of birth defects.

Neither study was able to tie SSRIs as a group to either heart defects or most other defects. That reassurance is especially welcome because depressed women fret even more than other mothers about the health of their newborns, said Dr. Stephan Quentzel, a psychiatrist who treats pregnant women at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.

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[michellem99-2009]

I am sorry THAT I am so poorly schooled but I lost my train of thot when my friend stepped in. I meant thank you for helpping me to understand better so that I am not so dumb as I want to know better. Thank for the care you give these vets who truly need it. They would not teach me anything as they was not set up to educate a multi like me. I do try to express my say. I hate my blindness as I miss so much. Please take care of our VETS. I always thank them when I meet them. I was taught this as a child and as an older lady still do. Best wishes and peace of Christ be with you alway.

[michellem99-2009]

Thank you for helping you for helpping our vets and some may be Mums. I know the govt wont step upto the plate in medical issues. My vet friend always thanks the staff at the VAMC here in Seattle. He is grateful for the care. Most are too poor to pay. I am grateful that Dad in Maine goes to the VAMC. The Vets earnt that care and its kind people like you that care. THANK YOU.

[michellem99-2009]

sorry about the multi posts the button should be easier to see but is not.I use a hand magnifier to read. So sorry.

[michellem99-2009]

sorry about the multi posts the button should be easier to see but is not.I use a hand magnifier to read. So sorry.

[michellem99-2009]

sorry about the multi posts the button should be easier to see but is not.I use a hand magnifier to read. So sorry.

[michellem99-2009]

Gebtle Postee, My room mate is a vet and does go to VAMC.They are good to you vets. BUT Bush won't give the VAMC money to care for our dear vets who need that care so that area I am p---ed and yet I don't know everything. I will step upto the plate when I am wrong. But the treatments are not there for us due being poor. And I think it not right to hurt others as they who bill high prices that it even hurts good drs. The poor that suffer depression can't get the help due to money. Not every drug works due to side effects. Yes.IT IS A PITY THEY YAK ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE which could help others. By the way my vet room mate is diabetic,has lung,heart issues,depression. He has had 4 heart attacks. We don't have any one. We have been together 24 yrs. He is the one that helpped me get computer so I can share.

[michellem99-2009]

Gebtle Postee, My room mate is a vet and does go to VAMC.They are good to you vets. BUT Bush won't give the VAMC money to care for our dear vets who need that care so that area I am p---ed and yet I don't know everything. I will step upto the plate when I am wrong. But the treatments are not there for us due being poor. And I think it not right to hurt others as they who bill high prices that it even hurts good drs. The poor that suffer depression can't get the help due to money. Not every drug works due to side effects. Yes.IT IS A PITY THEY YAK ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE which could help others. By the way my vet room mate is diabetic,has lung,heart issues,depression. He has had 4 heart attacks. We don't have any one. We have been together 24 yrs. He is the one that helpped me get computer so I can share.

[michellem99-2009]

Gebtle Postee, My room mate is a vet and does go to VAMC.They are good to you vets. BUT Bush won't give the VAMC money to care for our dear vets who need that care so that area I am p---ed and yet I don't know everything. I will step upto the plate when I am wrong. But the treatments are not there for us due being poor. And I think it not right to hurt others as they who bill high prices that it even hurts good drs. The poor that suffer depression can't get the help due to money. Not every drug works due to side effects. Yes.IT IS A PITY THEY YAK ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE which could help others. By the way my vet room mate is diabetic,has lung,heart issues,depression. He has had 4 heart attacks. We don't have any one. We have been together 24 yrs. He is the one that helpped me get computer so I can share.

[michellem99-2009]

Gebtle Postee, My room mate is a vet and does go to VAMC.They are good to you vets. BUT Bush won't give the VAMC money to care for our dear vets who need that care so that area I am p---ed and yet I don't know everything. I will step upto the plate when I am wrong. But the treatments are not there for us due being poor. And I think it not right to hurt others as they who bill high prices that it even hurts good drs. The poor that suffer depression can't get the help due to money. Not every drug works due to side effects. Yes.IT IS A PITY THEY YAK ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE which could help others. By the way my vet room mate is diabetic,has lung,heart issues,depression. He has had 4 heart attacks. We don't have any one. We have been together 24 yrs. He is the one that helpped me get computer so I can share.

[michellem99-2009]

Gebtle Postee, My room mate is a vet and does go to VAMC.They are good to you vets. BUT Bush won't give the VAMC money to care for our dear vets who need that care so that area I am p---ed and yet I don't know everything. I will step upto the plate when I am wrong. But the treatments are not there for us due being poor. And I think it not right to hurt others as they who bill high prices that it even hurts good drs. The poor that suffer depression can't get the help due to money. Not every drug works due to side effects. Yes.IT IS A PITY THEY YAK ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE which could help others. By the way my vet room mate is diabetic,has lung,heart issues,depression. He has had 4 heart attacks. We don't have any one. We have been together 24 yrs. He is the one that helpped me get computer so I can share.