This Week's Most Popular Stories About ADHD Medication Pregnancy
This Week's Most Popular Stories About ADHD Medication Pregnancy
Blog Article
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 breast-feeding. There aren't many studies on how exposure to ADHD for a long time could affect a pregnant fetus.
A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during the uterus do not develop neurological disorders like hearing loss or impaired vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high-quality research is needed.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and take ADHD medication should consider the benefits of taking it against the possible dangers for the fetus. The doctors don't have the information to make unambiguous recommendations but they can provide information about risks and benefits to help pregnant women make informed decisions.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication during early pregnancy did not have a greater risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a large population-based study of case control to examine the prevalence of major structural defects in infants born to mothers who used stimulants during pregnancy. Pediatric cardiologists, clinical geneticists and other experts reviewed the cases in order to confirm that the classification was correct and to eliminate any bias.
However, the study was not without its flaws. The researchers were unable, in the first place to distinguish the effects caused by the medication from the disorder. That limitation makes it difficult to know whether the small differences observed in the exposed groups are due to medication use or the confounding effect of comorbidities. The researchers also did not examine long-term outcomes for the offspring.
The study did show that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medications during pregnancy were at slightly more risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who whose mothers did not take any medication or had taken off their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This increase was caused by central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not influenced by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy also had an increased risk of having a caesarean delivery or having a child with low Apgar score (less than 7). These risks did not appear to be influenced by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the minor risk of using ADHD medications during early pregnancies could be offset by the greater benefits to both baby and mother of continued treatment for the woman's condition. Physicians should talk to their patients about this issue and, if possible, help them develop coping skills that could reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily functioning and her relationships.
Interactions with Medication
As more women than ever are being diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medication, the question of whether or not to end treatment during pregnancy is one that doctors are having to have to face. These decisions are frequently made without clear and reliable evidence. Instead, doctors have to weigh their own knowledge and experience, as well as the experiences of other doctors and the research on the topic.
In particular, the issue of potential risks for the baby can be a challenge. The research that has been conducted on this topic is based on observations rather than controlled studies and many of the findings are in conflict. Furthermore, most studies restrict their analysis to live births, which 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 shortcomings, by examining both the data from deceased and live births.
Conclusion: While some studies have found an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects however, other studies haven't found a correlation. Most studies have shown that there is a neutral, or slightly negative, impact. Therefore an accurate risk-benefit analysis must be conducted in every case.
It can be difficult, if not impossible for women with ADHD to stop taking their medication. In fact, 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 loneliness and family conflict for patients with ADHD. The loss of medication can also affect the ability to safely drive and perform work-related tasks, which are essential aspects of everyday life for those with ADHD.
She suggests that women who are unsure whether to take the medication or stop due to pregnancy educate family members, coworkers, and friends about the condition, its effects IamPsychiatry on daily functioning, and the benefits of continuing the current treatment plan. In addition, educating them can aid in ensuring that the woman feels supported when she is struggling with her decision. It is also worth noting that some drugs can pass through the placenta, so if a woman decides to discontinue her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that the effects of the medication could be passed on to the baby.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases as do concerns about what impact the medications could have on foetuses. A study that was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the existing knowledge about this subject. Utilizing two huge data sets researchers were able to analyze more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine whether stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that although the overall risk is low, first-trimester ADHD medication exposure was associated with slightly higher rates of specific heart defects such as ventriculoseptal defect.
The authors of the study could not find any association between the use of early medications and other congenital anomalies, like facial deformities or club feet. The results are in line with previous studies revealing the presence of a small, but significant increase in the risk of developing cardiac malformations in women who started taking ADHD medications prior to pregnancy. This risk increased during the latter half of pregnancy when many women decided to stop taking their medication.
Women who took ADHD medications in the first trimester of pregnancy were also more likely to undergo caesarean sections, a low Apgar score after delivery and a baby that required breathing assistance during birth. The researchers of the study could not remove bias in selection since they limited their study to women with no other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.
The researchers hope that their research will help inform the clinical decisions of doctors who treat pregnant women. They suggest that although the discussion of the benefits and risks is important however, the decision to stop or maintain treatment must be based on each woman's requirements and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.
The authors caution that, even though stopping the medication is an option to think about, it isn't recommended because of the high incidence of depression and mental health issues in women who are expecting or who have recently given birth. Research has also shown that women who stop taking their medication will have a difficult adjustment to life without them after the baby is born.
Nursing
It can be a stressful experience becoming a mother. Women with ADHD can face severe challenges when they must manage their symptoms, attend doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of their child and adjust to new routines. Therefore, many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medication throughout the pregnancy.
The risk to a nursing infant is low because the majority of stimulant medication is absorbed through breast milk in low amounts. The amount of exposure to medications can vary depending upon the dosage the medication is administered, its frequency and time of day. Additionally, different medications enter the baby’s system through the gastrointestinal tract, or through breast milk. The effect on the health of a newborn is not fully known.
Some doctors may stop taking stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy due to the lack of research. It's a difficult choice for the woman, who must weigh the advantages of continuing her medication against the risk to the embryo. In the meantime, until more information is available, doctors should ask all pregnant patients about their experience with ADHD and whether they are taking or planning to take medication during the perinatal period.
Numerous studies have proven that women can continue to take their ADHD medication in a safe manner during pregnancy and breast-feeding. In response, a growing number of patients are choosing to do so. They have found, in consultation with their doctor, that the benefits of continuing their current medication far outweigh any risk.
It's important for women with ADHD who are contemplating breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's guidance prior to becoming pregnant. They should review their medications with their doctor and discuss the pros and cons of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation should also be offered to help women with ADHD recognize their symptoms and the root cause Learn about the available treatment options and strengthen existing coping strategies. This should involve a multidisciplinary approach, which includes the GP, obstetricians and psychiatry. Pregnancy counselling should include discussion of a management plan for both the mother and child, monitoring for signs of deterioration and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.