<p>Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to depression, but women who take anti-depressants during pregnancy may be predisposing their infants to Type 2 diabetes and obesity later in life, says a study. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Maternal use of a class of anti-depressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs increase risk of obesity and diabetes in children, the findings showed.<br /><br />Obesity and Type 2 diabetes in children is on the rise and there is the argument that it is related to lifestyle and availability of high calorie foods and reduced physical activity.<br /><br />"Our study has found that maternal anti-depressant use may also be a contributing factor to the obesity and diabetes epidemic," said Alison Holloway, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at McMaster University in Canada.<br /><br />"We have demonstrated for the first time in an animal model that maternal use of a class of anti-depressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs resulted in increased fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver of the adult offspring," Nicole De Long from McMaster University said.<br /><br />The study does not suggest women should avoid taking anti-depressants during pregnancy, only that there may be risks associated with anti-depressants that have not been previously identified, Holloway added.<br /></p>
<p>Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to depression, but women who take anti-depressants during pregnancy may be predisposing their infants to Type 2 diabetes and obesity later in life, says a study. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Maternal use of a class of anti-depressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs increase risk of obesity and diabetes in children, the findings showed.<br /><br />Obesity and Type 2 diabetes in children is on the rise and there is the argument that it is related to lifestyle and availability of high calorie foods and reduced physical activity.<br /><br />"Our study has found that maternal anti-depressant use may also be a contributing factor to the obesity and diabetes epidemic," said Alison Holloway, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at McMaster University in Canada.<br /><br />"We have demonstrated for the first time in an animal model that maternal use of a class of anti-depressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs resulted in increased fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver of the adult offspring," Nicole De Long from McMaster University said.<br /><br />The study does not suggest women should avoid taking anti-depressants during pregnancy, only that there may be risks associated with anti-depressants that have not been previously identified, Holloway added.<br /></p>