scholarly journals Controversies involving the use of SSRIs during pregnancy and the increased risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorders – a case report and literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaja Hanna Karakuła ◽  
Olga Padała ◽  
Aleksander Ryczkowski ◽  
Alicja Forma ◽  
Dariusz Juchnowicz
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
Depressive Episodes

Summary Introduction: There is an ongoing debate as to whether the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) by pregnant women increases the risk of developing autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the offspring. Aim: The aim of the study was to 1) present, based on a case report, the potential factors that may affect the development of ASD in a child, 2) review the literature on the risk of ASD in the case of using SSRIs by a pregnant woman. Case report: The case report concerns a child of a 33-year-old patient, previously treated for an episode of depression at the age of 23. At the beginning of the 15th week of planned pregnancy, when she was 28 years old, sleep disturbances were observed. Over the next few weeks, she gradually developed a full-blown depressive syndrome which required the use of sertraline. The child was born through a natural delivery, a healthy boy, who was diagnosed with ASD at the age of 2.5 years, which was the trigger for the development of the third episode of depression in the patient. Conclusions: The results of the research indicate that SSRIs can penetrate the placental barrier, influencing the processes of serotoninergic transmission in the fetus, disrupting neurodevelopmental processes. On the other hand, a higher risk of ASD development in children of depressed mothers who do not use pharmacotherapy was confirmed, compared to the general population and in the case of the occurrence of depressive episodes in mother in the past and in relation to the male fetuses. The greater risk of ASD in children of mothers who take SSRIs may not only be associated with the medication itself but also with the presence of depression and the probable common genetic basis for both disorders. In each case, other risk factors for the development of ASD should also be taken into consideration, e.g. vitamin D3 deficiencies, unsaturated fatty acids, oxytocin levels, the presence of intestinal dysbiosis.

scholarly journals Autism spectrum disorders: weighing the risk of SSRI exposure in pregnancy

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Ostuzzi ◽  
C. Barbui
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Confounding By Indication ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Exposure During Pregnancy ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Development Outcomes ◽  
Recent Cohort

A possible link between prenatal exposure to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and development of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), previously suggested by two case-control studies, was not confirmed by a recent cohort study that followed for 5–10 years more than 600,000 births. However, this study failed to demonstrate that SSRI exposure during pregnancy is safe in terms of child development outcomes, as an increased risk of ASDs cannot be completely ruled out. In the present article, the main strengths and weaknesses of this study are briefly analysed, including a possibility of confounding by indication.

scholarly journals Oral Health and Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Unique Collaboration between Dentistry and Occupational Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Dominique H. Como ◽  
Leah I. Stein Duker ◽  
José C. Polido ◽  
Sharon A. Cermak
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Clinic Visit ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Dental Practitioners ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at risk for oral health disparities. With the dramatic rise in ASD prevalence to 1 in 54 children, it is likely that an increasing number of dental practitioners will encounter or be asked to treat children with ASD. This paper reviews explanations related to the increasing prevalence of ASD, provides reasons why children with ASD are at increased risk for poor oral health, and discusses unique interprofessional collaborations between dental practitioners and occupational therapists. Occupational therapists and dentists can work together to plan modifications to the dental environment or adapt dental protocols to reduce some of the barriers encountered by those with ASD, provide desensitization strategies before the clinic visit, or help a child with emotional regulation during clinical treatments.

Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Research Review for School Counselors

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 2156759X1501604
Author(s):  
Richard W. Auger
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
School Counselors ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Research Review ◽  
Social Deficits ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Social ◽  
Students With Autism ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

The number of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has risen significantly in recent years (CDC, 2012), and students with ASD present unique challenges to schools and school counselors. This article presents a synthesis of recent research literature related to ASD for the purpose of providing school counselors with assistance in understanding and addressing the needs of students with ASD. Specific areas of focus include the prevalence, developmental course, and defining characteristics of ASD, and research on the effectiveness of interventions for students with ASD. Students with ASD are at increased risk for a range of problems, including social deficits and limitations, anxiety, aggression, peer victimization, and underachievement (Ashburner, Ziviani, & Rodger, 2010). Interventions to address the social deficits of students with ASD have shown promise but also have been found to lack results that are generalizable and that persist over time (Schreiber, 2011). This article provides specific recommendations for school counselors.

scholarly journals Increased Risk for Substance Use-Related Problems in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Population-Based Cohort Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Butwicka ◽  
Niklas Långström ◽  
Henrik Larsson ◽  
Sebastian Lundström ◽  
Eva Serlachius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

scholarly journals Increased Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders at Short and Long Interpregnancy Intervals in Finland

2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 1074-1081.e4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keely Cheslack-Postava ◽  
Auli Suominen ◽  
Elina Jokiranta ◽  
Venla Lehti ◽  
Ian W. McKeague ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Interpregnancy Intervals ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

scholarly journals HEALTH CONDITION IN PERSONS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Trajkovski
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Food Allergies ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are behaviourally defined syndromes where the etiology and pathophysiology are not very well understood. If the child has been diagnosed with autism, parents already face special behavioural challenges. What makes ASD even more difficult, are the many other medical health issues that often arise in this population.The purpose of this article is to summarise the latest understanding of autism’s commonly associated physical and mental health conditions.Methods: An analysis of relevant literature, sources from the internet and published literature, personal experience and observations of the author.Recent findings: Autism is a disorder of the whole body. It is often in co-morbidity with: epilepsy, gastrointestinal disorders, neuro-inflammation and immunological disorders, asthma, eczema, sleep disturbances, eating and feeding disorders, food allergies, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), headaches, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Fragile X syndrome, intellectual disability, nonverbal learning disorder, motor clumsiness, Tourette syndrome, sensory problems, tuberous sclerosis, oxidative stress, acquired mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities. Many of the issues outlined here can overlap each other.Conclusions:Improved understanding of the underlying pathology of ASD and associated conditions, and the development of a common purpose across multiple treating sites, can improve the consistent and coordinated healthcare of children with autism. There is need for the development of improved strategies for delivering effective health education and healthcare to this large population. Improving the ability of these persons to lead relatively independent lives has a great economic impact.

scholarly journals International Expert Opinions and Recommendations on the Use of Melatonin in the Treatment of Insomnia and Circadian Sleep Disturbances in Adult Neuropsychiatric Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Palagini ◽  
Raffaele Manni ◽  
Eugenio Aguglia ◽  
Mario Amore ◽  
Roberto Brugnoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽  
Immediate Release ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Neurocognitive Disorders ◽  
Prolonged Release ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Introduction: Insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders, such as the delayed sleep phase syndrome, are frequent in psychiatric disorders and their evaluation and management in early stages should be a priority. The aim of this paper was to express recommendations on the use of exogenous melatonin, which exhibits both chronobiotic and sleep-promoting actions, for the treatment of these sleep disturbances in psychiatric disorders.Methods: To this aim, we conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA on the use of melatonin for the treatment of insomnia and circadian sleep disorders in neuropsychiatry. We expressed recommendations for the use of melatonin in psychiatric clinical practice for each disorder using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method.Results: We selected 41 studies, which included mood disorders, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, autism spectrum disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and delirium; no studies were found for both anxiety and eating disorders.Conclusion: The administration of prolonged release melatonin at 2–10 mg, 1–2 h before bedtime, might be used in the treatment of insomnia symptoms or comorbid insomnia in mood disorders, schizophrenia, in adults with autism spectrum disorders, neurocognitive disorders and during sedative-hypnotics discontinuation. Immediate release melatonin at <1 mg might be useful in the treatment of circadian sleep disturbances of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document