Pregnancy and antidepressants: cause of obesity and diabetes in children
Women who take antidepressants during pregnancy may unknowingly predispose their child(ren) to higher risks of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
This is reported in a study (1) published on June 21 by McMaster University. A correlation has been discovered between fluoxetine (2) , a psychotropic drug used as an antidepressant, and obesity in children. This is a first because this kind of correlation had never been discovered before .
An additional risk factor
Alison Holloway, a professor who conducted the research, notes that “ obesity and type 2 diabetes in children is on the rise. The argument that this increase is related to lifestyle, high-calorie foods and reduced physical activity is correct, but our study found that the use of antidepressants in pregnant women may also be a contributing factor to the obesity and diabetes epidemic ”.
It is therefore an additional risk factor for the child. Until now, antidepressants had not been linked to obesity problems. It is therefore the first time that such a demonstration has been made.
The study does not suggest, however, that pregnant women taking antidepressants should stop their treatment, simply that they now need to be aware that they are exposing their child(ren) to risks that previously did not exist. never been identified.
The researchers state that ” the benefit of this study is that it may help identify children who may need specific interventions to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life .”
Significant consumption of antidepressants, including in France
However, the study specifies that 20% of pregnant women in the United States are prescribed antidepressants during their pregnancy. This figure is 7% in Canada.
France, for its part, recently held the world record for the consumption of psychotropic drugs linked to depressive disorders. In the space of twenty years, between 1980 and 2001, the turnover of these drugs has multiplied by 6.7 in France (3) . A substantial number. There are no precise public statistics concerning the percentage of pregnant women who consume antidepressants in France, but we do know that out of 1000 people, 50 “doses” are consumed per day on average. Figures from an OECD study entitled “ 2013 Health Overview ”.
Generally speaking, pregnant women are more likely to be affected by depression. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 5 pregnant women would have depressive disorders (but without necessarily consuming antidepressants).
The pursuit of research
At present scientists have not yet determined how fluoxetine could act chemically on obesity, but the correlation has nevertheless been demonstrated. For this an animal model was used, making it possible to highlight an increase in the fatty mass present in the liver as well as an inflammation of this liver. Symptoms that are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes in children.
The scientists point out that “if we can understand how the antidepressant causes these adverse metabolic outcomes in children then we can design therapeutic strategies to prevent these effects while allowing women who need these drugs to continue to be treated. while reducing the potential risk to offspring .”
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.