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ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women suffering from ADHD have to make a difficult choice regarding whether or not to stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There aren't many studies regarding how exposure over time may affect a pregnant fetus.
A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to adhd over the counter medication uk medication during the uterus don't develop neurological developmental disorders like impaired vision or hearing, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for higher-quality research.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication need to consider the benefits of taking it against the possible dangers for the foetus. Physicians do not have the data needed to provide clear recommendations but they can provide information regarding benefits and risks that can aid pregnant women in making informed decisions.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who were taking ADHD medications during their early pregnancy did not face an increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major birth defects that are structural. Researchers conducted a large, population-based case-control study to determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who took stimulants during the early stages of pregnancy and those who had not. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists reviewed the cases to ensure accurate case classification bipolar and adhd non medication treatment for adhd (Read More On this page) to limit the possibility of bias.
The research conducted by the researchers was not without its limitations. The researchers were unable, in the first place to distinguish the effects triggered by the medication from the disorder. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to determine if the few associations observed between the groups exposed were due to medication use or if they were affected by comorbidities. The researchers did not study long-term outcomes for offspring.
The study did find that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medications during pregnancy were at a greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants whose mothers had not taken any medication or cut back on their medications prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medications used during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher chance of having a caesarean section or one whose baby scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases did appear to be independent of the type of medication used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the minor risks posed by the use of ADHD medications in early pregnancies may be offset by the more beneficial outcomes for both mother and baby from continuing treatment for the woman’s disorder. Physicians should discuss this with their patients and, if possible, help them develop strategies for improving their coping skills that can lessen the impact of her disorder on her daily functioning and relationships.
Medication Interactions
Many doctors are faced with the decision of whether to continue treatment or stop as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. The majority of these decisions are made in the absence of clear and authoritative evidence either way, so physicians must weigh their knowledge from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what the research says on the topic as well as their own best judgment for each patient.
The issue of possible risks for infants can be extremely difficult. 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 may underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that could result in abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study that is discussed in the journal club addresses these shortcomings by analyzing information on deceased and live births.
The conclusion The conclusion: While some studies have found 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 show a neutral or even slight negative effect. In each case it is imperative to conduct a thorough evaluation of the potential risks and benefits is required.
For women suffering from ADHD who suffer from ADHD, the decision to stop medication is difficult if not impossible. In a recent article in the Archives of Women's Mental Health, psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping adhd medication uk buy medication during pregnancy can lead to increased depression, feelings of isolation, and family conflict for those suffering from the disorder. Additionally, the loss of medication may affect the ability to do job-related tasks and drive safely which are essential aspects of daily life for many people suffering from ADHD.
She suggests that women who are not sure whether to continue taking medication or stop due to pregnancy, educate their family members, coworkers and acquaintances about the condition, the effects on daily functioning, and the benefits of continuing the current treatment regimen. It can also help a woman feel more confident in her decision. Certain medications can pass through the placenta. If a patient decides to stop taking her ADHD medication while breastfeeding, it is crucial to be aware that the medication could be passed on to her baby.
Birth Defects Risk
As the use and misuse of ADHD medication to treat symptoms of attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), increases the concern over the potential adverse effects of the drugs on fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge regarding this issue. Utilizing two huge data sets researchers were able to look at more than 4.3 million pregnancies and see whether the use of stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers found that while the risk overall is low, the first trimester ADHD exposure to medication was associated with slightly higher rates of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defect.
The researchers of the study didn't discover any link between the use of early medications 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 cardiac malformations for women who started taking ADHD medication prior to pregnancy. This risk increased during the latter stages of pregnancy when many women stopped taking their medication.
Women who used ADHD medication in the first trimester of pregnancy were also more likely to undergo a caesarean section, a low Apgar score following delivery, and a baby who needed help breathing at birth. However the researchers of the study were not able to eliminate bias due to selection by restricting the study to women who didn't have any other medical conditions that could have contributed to these findings.
The researchers hope their study will aid in the clinical decisions of doctors who see pregnant women. The researchers advise that while discussing benefits and risks are important, the decision about whether to continue or stop medication should be according to the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her needs.
The authors also advise that, while stopping the medication is an option, it isn't a recommended practice because of the high incidence of depression and other mental health issues among women who are pregnant or recently post-partum. Further, research shows that women who stop taking their medications will have a tough transitioning to life without them after the baby is born.
Nursing
It can a general practitioner prescribe adhd medication be a stressful experience to become 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. Many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant drugs are absorbed through breast milk in low quantities, so the risk to infant who is breastfeeding is low. The rate of exposure to medication can vary depending upon the dosage and frequency of administration as well as the time of day. In addition, individual medications enter the body of the baby differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk and the impact of this on a newborn infant is not well understood.
Some physicians may discontinue stimulant medication during a woman's pregnancy due to the lack of research. It's a difficult choice for the woman, who must weigh the benefits of taking her medication as well as the risks to the embryo. As long as there is no more information, doctors should inquire with all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and whether they plan or are taking to take medication during the perinatal period.
Numerous studies have proven that women can continue to take their ADHD medication without risk during pregnancy and breast-feeding. In response, an increasing number of patients are opting to do this. They have found, in consultation with their doctor, that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh potential risks.
Women who suffer from ADHD who plan to breastfeed should seek advice from an expert psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their physician and discuss the pros and cons of continued treatment, including non amphetamine adhd medication-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation should also be provided to help women with ADHD understand their symptoms and underlying disorder and learn about treatment options and strengthen existing strategies for coping. This should be a multidisciplinary approach, which includes the GP, obstetricians and psychiatry. Counselling for pregnancy should include the discussion of a treatment plan for both mother and child, monitoring for signs of deterioration, and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.