Reports Linking SSRI’s with Autism Are Greatly Exaggerated

The headline is scary: “Maternal exposure to anti-depressant SSRIs linked to autism in children.” The Washington Post asserted that a study published Monday provides the “strongest evidence yet” that antidepressants during pregnancy may be linked with autism spectrum disorders in children. A press release was less nuanced: “Taking antidepressants during pregnancy increases risk of autism by 87 percent.”