Women who took certain types of antidepressants, like Zolaft, Lustral or Celexa, were four times more likely to have a baby with heart defects.
The malformations observed were mainly located in the wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart. Some are resolved on their own, whereas others require surgery.
According to researchers at the University of Aarhus, Denmark, published in the British Medical Journal, the absolute risks are relatively minimal.
For example, if women stopped taking their antidepressants during their pregnancy, this could lead them to relapse into a serious depression with destructive behaviors.
Thus, it is recommended that pregnant women have close monitoring by their doctor or psychiatrist when they need to take their antidepressants during pregnancy.