Negative impact of non-evidence-based information received by women taking antidepressants during pregnancy from health care providers and others.

Objectives: The use of antidepressants by women during pregnancy continues to be a controversial subject, with conflicting information regarding the safety of this group of drugs. We sought (1) to determine the impact of information, advice, and comments women received from health care providers, family, and media about use of antidepressants during pregnancy, and (2) to compare experiences regarding the psychosocial impact of women who continued and discontinued antidepressant therapy during pregnancy.

Methods: Women who had taken an antidepressant at some point during pregnancy were interviewed.

Stigma and attitudes towards antenatal depression and antidepressant use during pregnancy in healthcare students.

Depression in pregnancy or antenatal depression (AD) occurs in approximately one in five women, with potentially deleterious effects to the mother and fetus. People are encouraged to get treatment for depression; however, pregnant women can experience stigma when they reach out for help with depression. Research indicates that healthcare professionals hold stigma against patients who experience mental health conditions, including depression.

Folic acid and vitamin D status of young children receiving minimal anticonvulsant drug therapy.

The effects of long term, low dosage anticonvulsant drug therapy on the vitamin D and folacin status of young children was studied. Biochemical and dietary parameters including serum calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase; serum and red blood cell folacin; serum drug concentrations; hematocrits; and dietary intakes of vitamin D and folacin were measured in seven subjects. All subjects were taking low dosages of medication.