Depression is common in women of childbearing age and pregnancy. Antidepressants are some of the most common medications prescribed by the NHS. Recent studies have estimated that up to 10% of women in some western countries take antidepressants during pregnancy. Recent studies have raised the possibility of an association between antidepressant use during pregnancy with longer term neurodevelopmental problems such as autism. However, maternal depression may independently be associated with adverse neurodevelopment- potentially confounding the association between antidepressant use and autism.
This study aims to investigate the association of maternal depression or taking antidepressants during pregnancy with offspring risk of autism or autistic traits in ALSPAC.