New study highlights the link between SSRI drugs and the behaviour typical of autism
Taking certain depression drugs during pregnancy has been linked to autism
Women who take a certain type of anti-depressant when they're pregnant could be contributing to the dramatic rise in children with autism.
Researchers in the US testing rats found that newborns given an anti-depressant drug known as an SSRI recorded brain abnormalities and behaviour typical of the developmental disorder.
Unborn babies are exposed to the anti-depressants taken by their mother through the placenta
Dr Thomas Insel, direct of the National Institute of Mental Health in the US said: "These studies will help to balance the mental health needs of pregnant mothers with possible increased risk to their offspring."
However, the team said it would be premature to advice pregnant mothers to stop taking the drugs as the study used rats who were considered normal and not depressed.
The study will instead be used as a starting point to find out which doses and for how long cause the findings.
Around one in 10 mothers-to-be currently take an SSRI.
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