Nation IN BRIEF : ILLINOIS : Mothers Warned on Anti-Depressants

Nursing mothers who take tranquilizers or other drugs for depression are subjecting their babies to unknown risks and should check with their doctors, the American Academy of Pediatrics warned. In a policy statement released in Chicago, the pediatricians said that prescription tranquilizers such as diazepam, anti-depressants such as imipramine and 17 other similar medications “may be of concern.” (Diazepam is marketed as Valium and imipramine is sold as Tofranil, SK-Pramine and Imavate.) The effect of such drugs on babies who ingest them through breast milk is unknown, the academy said. It added, however, that most other medications are “usually compatible with breast-feeding.”