ADHD Medication Pregnancy: 10 Things I d Like To Have Known Earlier
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The decision to stop or continue ADHD medications during pregnancy and nursing is a challenge for women suffering from the condition. There aren't enough data on how exposure to ADHD for a long time could affect a fetus.
A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in utero do not develop neurological developmental disorders like hearing loss or impaired vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality studies are needed.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and taking ADHD medication should evaluate the benefits of using it against the potential risks to the foetus. Physicians do not have the information needed to make unequivocal recommendations, but they can provide information about the risks and benefits to assist pregnant women in making informed decisions.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who used ADHD medications in early pregnancy did not have a significantly increased risk of fetal heart malformations or major structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a massive population-based study of case control to compare the incidence of major structural defects in infants who were born to mothers who used stimulants during pregnancy. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists looked over the cases to ensure accurate case classification and to limit the chance of bias.
The study of the researchers was not without limitations. In particular, they were not able to differentiate the effects of the medication from the underlying disorder. That limitation makes it difficult to determine whether the limited 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 outcomes of offspring.
The study found that infants whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy had a higher risk of admission to the neonatal care unit (NICU) in comparison to those whose mothers didn't take any medication during pregnancy or had stopped taking their medication before or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not influenced by the stimulant medication given for adhd that was used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher chance of having to have caesarean sections or the baby was not scoring well on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These risks did not appear to be affected by the kind of medication used during pregnancy.
The researchers suggest that the low risk associated with the use of adhd medication pregnancy medications during early pregnancy could be offset by the higher benefit to both mother and child of continued treatment for the woman's condition. Physicians should discuss this with their patients and, when possible, assist them in developing strategies to improve their coping abilities that can lessen the impact of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever are diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the dilemma of whether to keep or stop treatment during pregnancy is one that more and more doctors have to face. Most of the time, these decisions are made without solid and reliable evidence in either case, which means that doctors must weigh their knowledge from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what the research suggests about the subject, along with their own judgments for each patient.
Particularly, the subject of possible risks to the baby can be a challenge. The research on this issue is based on observation instead of controlled studies and many of the findings are in conflict. Furthermore, most common adhd medications studies restrict their analysis to live births, which adhd medication is the best could undervalue the serious teratogenic effects that can lead to abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study that is discussed in the journal club addresses these issues, by examining both data on live and deceased births.
The conclusion The conclusion: While some studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between ADHD medications and the risk of certain birth defects, others have found no connection and the majority of studies demonstrate a neutral or slightly negative impact. In all cases an in-depth evaluation of the potential risks and benefits is required.
It isn't easy, but not impossible for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In an article published in Archives of Women's Mental Health, psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can cause depression, feelings of isolation and family conflict for patients with ADHD. Additionally, the loss of medication can interfere with the ability to complete jobs and drive safely that are crucial aspects of daily life for many people suffering from ADHD.
She suggests that women who are unsure whether to continue taking the medication or stop it due to their pregnancy, educate their family members, colleagues, and their friends about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the benefits of keeping the current treatment. In addition, educating them can make the woman feel more comfortable in her struggle with her decision. It is important to note that some medications are able to pass through the placenta therefore, if a patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware of the possibility that traces of the medication could be passed on to the baby.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use and misuse of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases as does the concern about the possible effects of the drugs on foetuses. A recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the body of knowledge about this subject. Researchers used two huge datasets to analyze more than 4.3 million pregnant women and determine whether stimulant medications caused birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the risk overall is low, the first trimester ADHD exposure to medication was associated with slightly higher rates of specific heart defects such as ventriculoseptal defect.
The authors of the study didn't discover any connection between early use of medication and congenital anomalies like facial deformities or club feet. The results are in line with previous studies revealing a small but significant increase in the risk of heart malformations among women who began taking ADHD medications before the time of pregnancy. This risk increased during the latter half of pregnancy when a large number of women began to stop taking their medication.
Women who were taking ADHD medication during the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean birth, have a low Apgar after delivery, and have a baby that needed breathing assistance after birth. The authors of the study could not eliminate selection bias because they limited the study to women with no other medical conditions that might have contributed to the findings.
The researchers hope that their research will aid in the clinical decisions of doctors who treat pregnant women. They suggest that although discussing risks and benefits is important, the decision to stop or maintain treatment should be based on each woman's requirements and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.
The authors also caution that even though stopping the medication is an option, it isn't an option that is recommended due to the high incidence of depression and other mental health issues for women who are expecting or who are recently post-partum. Research has also shown that women who stop taking their medications will have a difficult adjustment to life without them once the baby is born.
Nursing
It can be a challenge becoming a mother. Women who suffer from ADHD are often faced with a number of difficulties when they must deal with their symptoms, go to doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a child and adjust to new routines. This is why many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout the course of pregnancy.
The risk to nursing infant is low because the majority of stimulant medication is absorbed through breast milk at Low Estrogen And Adhd Medication (Hikvisiondb.Webcam) levels. However, the amount of exposure to medication by the infant can differ based on the dosage, frequency it is administered, and at what time it is administered. Additionally, individual medications enter the baby's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk. The impact of this on a newborn infant is not well understood.
Due to the absence of research, some doctors may recommend stopping stimulant medication during a woman's pregnancy. It's a difficult choice for the woman, who must weigh the advantages of continuing her medication against the risk to the fetus. As long as more information is available, GPs can inquire about pregnant patients if they have an history of ADHD or if they are planning to take medication in the perinatal stage.
Numerous studies have proven that women can continue taking their ADHD medication in a safe manner while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. In response, a rising number of patients are opting to continue their medication. They have discovered, in consultation with their physicians that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh potential risks.
Women with ADHD who are planning to nurse should seek the advice of an expert psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication for odd and adhd with their prescriber and discuss the pros and cons of continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation should also be offered to help women with ADHD understand their symptoms and underlying disorder and learn about treatment options and strengthen existing strategies for managing. This should involve an approach that is multidisciplinary, including the GP as well as obstetricians, psychiatry and obstetricians. The pregnancy counselling should consist of discussion of a management plan for both the mother as well as the child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.