There has long been a concern about the safety of using antipsychotic medication during pregnancy.

Many women who have been diagnosed with a mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, may be prescribed antipsychotic medication to manage their symptoms. However, they may hesitate to take such medications while pregnant out of fear that it could harm the fetus.

The Study

A new study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry sought to examine the risks associated with antipsychotic medication use during pregnancy.

The study analyzed data from four large pregnancy cohorts that included a total of over 1.3 million pregnant women. Of those, approximately 9,000 were taking antipsychotic medication during their pregnancy.

The study found that there was no increased risk of stillbirths, preterm births, or congenital anomalies among women who took antipsychotic medication during their pregnancy.

Additionally, the study found that there was no increased risk of neonatal mortality or admission to the neonatal intensive care unit.

However, the study did find that there was a slight increased risk of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia among women who took antipsychotic medication during their pregnancy.

The risk for gestational hypertension was 15% higher among those taking antipsychotic medication compared to those who did not, while the risk for pre-eclampsia was 24% higher. Despite this increased risk, the absolute risk for these conditions among women taking antipsychotic medication was still quite low.

Interpretation of the Results

While the study found a slight increased risk of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia among women taking antipsychotic medication during their pregnancy, the overall findings are reassuring for women who need to take these medications to manage their mental health. The study provides evidence that antipsychotic medication use during pregnancy is generally safe for both the mother and the fetus.

However, it is important to note that the study does not address the long-term effects of antipsychotic medication use during pregnancy.

Further research is needed to better understand any potential long-term risks associated with in utero antipsychotic exposure.

Implications for Future Research

While the study provides some important insights into the safety of antipsychotic medication use during pregnancy, there are still many questions that remain unanswered.

Future research should focus on gaining a better understanding of the effects of in utero antipsychotic exposure on neurodevelopment, as well as any potential long-term effects on the health of the child.

Conclusion

The new study provides evidence that using antipsychotic medication during pregnancy is generally safe for both the mother and the fetus, with a slight increased risk for gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia.

While this is reassuring news for women who need to manage their mental health during pregnancy, it is important to continue to monitor the long-term effects of in utero antipsychotic exposure and to provide support for women who may be using this medication during their pregnancy.