20 Trailblazers Lead The Way In ADHD Medication Pregnancy
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women suffering from ADHD must make a difficult decision on whether to keep or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Little data exists about how long-term exposure to these medications could affect the fetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus don't develop neurological developmental conditions like hearing loss or impaired vision seizures, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality studies.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and taking ADHD medications must weigh the advantages of taking them against potential risks to the fetus. Doctors don't have the information needed to provide clear recommendations however they can provide information about the risks and benefits to assist pregnant women in making informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who were taking ADHD medications during early pregnancy did not face a significantly increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major structural birth defects. Researchers used a vast population-based study of case-control to determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who had taken stimulants during early pregnancy and those who had not. Clinical geneticists and pediatric cardiologists looked over the cases to ensure correct case classification and to minimize the possibility of bias.
The research conducted by the researchers was not without limitations. Researchers were unable, in the first place to differentiate the effects of the medication from the disorder. That limitation makes it difficult to determine whether the small associations observed in the groups that were exposed result from medication use or the confounding effect of comorbidities. In addition the study did not examine the long-term effects of offspring on their parents.
The study did reveal that infants whose mothers took ADHD medications during pregnancy were at slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those who whose mothers did not take any medication or cut back on their medications prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders, and the increased risk for admission did not appear to be influenced by the stimulant medication was used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher risk of having to have caesarean sections or the baby was not scoring well on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases didn't appear to be influenced by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the small risks posed by the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancies could be offset by the greater benefits to both baby and mother of continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should discuss this with their patients and, when possible, assist them in developing strategies to improve coping skills that can lessen the negative impact of her condition on her daily life and relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever are diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medication, the dilemma of whether to keep or stop treatment during pregnancy is one that doctors are having to confront. Often, these decisions are taken in the absence of any evidence that is clear and definitive in either case, which means that doctors must weigh what they know about their experiences, the experiences of other doctors, and what the research says on the topic and their best judgment for each patient.
Particularly, the issue of potential risks to the baby can be tricky. The research on this issue is based on observations rather than controlled studies, and a lot of the results are conflicting. In addition, most studies limit their analysis to live births, which could undervalue the serious teratogenic effects that can lead to abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these shortcomings by analyzing both data on live and deceased births.
Conclusion: While some studies have shown a positive correlation between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not established a link. Most studies show that there is a neutral, or slight negative impact. In each case, a careful evaluation of the risks and benefits should be conducted.
It isn't easy, but not impossible, for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In fact, in an article published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health, psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can lead to increased depression, feelings of loneliness and family conflict for these patients. A loss of medication may affect the ability to safely drive and to perform work-related tasks which are crucial aspects of normal life for people with ADHD.
She suggests that women who aren't sure whether to continue taking the medication or stop it due to their pregnancy, educate their family members, colleagues, and acquaintances about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the benefits of continuing the current treatment plan. Educating them can also aid in ensuring that the woman feels supported as she struggles with her decision. It is important to remember that certain medications can pass through the placenta so if a woman decides to stop her online adhd medication medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that the effects of the drug could be transferred to the infant.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows, so do concerns about the effects that the drugs might have on the fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge on this issue. Researchers used two huge data sets to study over 4.3 million pregnancy and determine if stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. While the overall risk remains low, the scientists discovered that the first-trimester exposure to adhd non stimulant medication uk medications was linked to an increase in the risk of certain heart defects, such as ventriculoseptal defect (VSD).
The authors of the study could not discover any connection between early use of medication and other congenital anomalies, such as facial deformities or club feet. The results are in the same vein as previous studies that have shown a small, but significant increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medication prior to the time of the birth of their child. The risk grew in the later part of pregnancy, when a lot of women decide to stop taking their medication for adhd and depression.
Women who were taking ADHD medication during the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean birth, have an insufficient Apgar after birth and had a baby that required breathing assistance at birth. However the authors of the study were not able to eliminate selection bias by limiting the study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that could be a contributing factor to these findings.
Researchers hope their research will inform physicians when they see pregnant women. The researchers recommend that while discussing risks and benefits are crucial, the decision on whether to continue or stop medication should be made according to the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and the needs of the woman.
The authors warn that, although stopping the medication is an option to look into, it is not advised because of the high incidence of depression and other mental problems for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Additionally, research suggests that women who stop taking their medications will have a harder transitioning to life without them once the baby is born.
Nursing
The responsibilities of a new mom can be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they must manage their symptoms, go to doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a baby and adjust to a new routine. Many women opt to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The risk to a breastfeeding infant is not too high since the majority of stimulant medications passes through breast milk at low levels. The rate of medication exposure will differ based on dosage the medication is administered, its frequency and the time of the day. In addition, individual medications enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk and the impact of this on a newborn is not fully known.
Due to the absence of evidence, some doctors might be tempted to stop taking stimulant medications during the course of pregnancy. It's a difficult choice for the woman who must weigh the advantages of continuing her medication against the risks to the fetus. In the meantime, until more information is available, GPs should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and whether they are taking or planning to take medication during the perinatal period.
A increasing number of studies have shown that the majority of women are able to safely continue to take their ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As a result, more and more patients choose to do so and in consultation with their doctor they have discovered that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh any risks.
Women who suffer from ADHD who plan to breastfeed should seek the advice Different Types Of Adhd Medication an expert psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should review their medications with their doctor and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also needed to help pregnant women with ADHD be aware of the symptoms and underlying disorder. They should also learn about treatment options and reinforce coping mechanisms. This should be a multidisciplinary effort including obstetricians, GPs, and psychiatrists. Pregnancy counseling should include discussion of a treatment plan for the mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration and, if necessary modifications to the medication regime.
