Victor J. Avila-Quintero, MD

Along with Dr. Michael Bloch and Dr. Jose Flores, we often evaluate problems in meta-analyses including confounding by indication, the potential outcomes of measurement error or incomplete measurement, issues in the adjustment for potential confounders, and difficulties with measurement of both outcome and exposure in observational studies of medication exposure during pregnancy. The accompanying Figure illustrates how these phenomena can lead to a significant measurable association between SSRI exposure in pregnancy and ASD in offspring that is subject to confounding and bias.