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In contrast to five other studies, new research from California suggests the antidepressant drug fluoxetine (Prozac), if taken during pregnancy, may cause fetal anomalies and perinatal complications.

The study, comparing 228 pregnant women who took the drug with 258 controls who did not, showed an increased incidence of three or more minor structural anomalies in babies exposed during the first trimester. It also showed an increased risk of premature delivery and poor perinatal condition in those exposed during the third trimester.

"These data suggest that if pregnant women are unable to discontinue fluoxetine therapy before the third trimester, the risk of perinatal complications is increased," said the investigators from the division of dysmorphology and teratology in the pediatrics department of the University of California-San Diego.