Antidepressants in pregnancy do not raise children’s risk of autism or ADHD, study finds

Antidepressant use during pregnancy does not increase the risk of children developing autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a large-scale meta-analysis published May 14, 2026.

The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Hong Kong and published in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry, suggests that risks previously associated with these medications are likely driven by other factors, including a genetic predisposition to mental health conditions.

The study analyzed data from 37 existing studies, covering a massive sample size of 600,000 pregnant women who took antidepressants and 25 million women who did not use antidepressants during their pregnancies.

The Impact of Confounding Factors

Initial data in the analysis indicated a correlation between maternal antidepressant use and neurodevelopmental conditions. Before adjusting for other variables, the researchers found that antidepressant use during pregnancy was associated with a 69% increased risk of autism and a 35% increased risk of ADHD.

However, these associations shifted significantly when the researchers controlled for confounding factors. These factors included pre-existing mental health conditions and genetic influences.

After controlling for these variables, the risk of both autism and ADHD became non-significant. This indicates that the medication itself was not the primary driver of the increased risk.

Researchers noted that mental illness is the most common complication during pregnancy. The findings suggest that the underlying mental health of the mother, rather than the treatment for that illness, is the more relevant factor in child development outcomes.

Paternal Antidepressant Use

The study also examined the impact of antidepressant use by the father before and during pregnancy. The findings mirrored those seen in maternal use, where initial correlations disappeared or weakened after adjusting for confounders.

Initially, paternal use of antidepressants was linked to a 46% higher risk of ADHD and a 28% increase in the risk of autism in children.

Once the researchers adjusted for genetic and familial influences, as well as the reasons for taking the medication, these links significantly weakened. Specifically, the adjusted risk for autism decreased to approximately 15%.

Clinical Implications and Context

The results provide evidence that for most antidepressants, exposure during pregnancy—or by the father during the same period—has little to no association with higher odds of ADHD or autism once influential factors are considered.

This research addresses growing concerns regarding the safety of psychiatric medications for developing fetuses. By identifying that genetic predisposition and the mother’s mental health status are the primary drivers of risk, the study helps clarify the relationship between medication and neurodevelopment.

The findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between the effects of a medication and the effects of the condition the medication is intended to treat.