Effects of prenatal depression and its treatment on children's development

Comparing the Effects of Prenatal Depression and its Treatment on Developmental Outcomes of the Offspring

NIH-funded research Kaiser Foundation Research Institute · NIH-10909042

This study is looking at how depression during pregnancy and the use of certain medications can affect how children develop, and it's for expectant moms who want to understand how their mental health might influence their child's growth and learning.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionKaiser Foundation Research Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Oakland, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10909042 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how prenatal depression and the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy affect the developmental outcomes of children. By utilizing a large cohort of over 320,000 children born between 2013 and 2020, the study aims to assess the impact of maternal depression and its treatment on various neurodevelopmental disorders. Pregnant women are screened for depression as part of their routine prenatal care, allowing researchers to gather comprehensive data on the severity of depression and its potential effects on their offspring's brain development. The study will track developmental milestones and diagnose conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and ADHD in children up to 8 years old.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women experiencing depression and their children, particularly those born between 2013 and 2020.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not have children within the specified age range may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment guidelines for prenatal depression, ultimately enhancing the developmental outcomes for children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated potential risks associated with untreated prenatal depression and SSRIs, but this study aims to address methodological gaps, making it a novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Oakland, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.