20 Myths About ADHD Medication Pregnancy: Dispelled
Best Adhd Medication For Someone With Anxiety (Blogfreely.Net) Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women with ADHD must make a difficult decision about whether to continue or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There isn't much information on how long-term exposure to these drugs can affect the foetus.
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 that more high quality studies are required.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication need to consider the benefits of taking it versus the risks for the baby. Doctors don't have the information needed to provide clear recommendations, but they can provide information on risks and benefits that help pregnant women make informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication in early pregnancy were not at a higher risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. The researchers used a large population-based study of case-control to determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who had taken stimulants in the early stages of pregnancy and those who had not. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts examined the cases to ensure that the classification was accurate and to minimize any bias.
The research conducted by the researchers had some limitations. The most important issue was that they were unable to separate the effects of the medication from the effects of the disorder that is underlying. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine if the small differences observed between the groups exposed were due to the use of medication or caused by co-morbidities. Additionally the study did not look at the long-term outcomes of offspring.
The study revealed that babies whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy had a higher chance of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU) as compared to those whose mothers did not use any medication during pregnancy, or had quit taking the medication prior to or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medication that was used during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an elevated chance of having a caesarean birth or having a baby with an low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases didn't seem to be influenced by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the small risk of using ADHD medications in early pregnancies may be offset by the greater benefits for mother and baby of continuing treatment for the woman’s disorder. Physicians should speak with their patients about this issue and, if possible, help them improve coping skills which could reduce the effects of her disorder on her daily functioning and her relationships.
Medication Interactions
More and more doctors are confronted with the dilemma of whether to keep treatment or stop it during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. These decisions are frequently made without clear and reliable evidence. Instead, doctors prescribing adhd medication must weigh their own knowledge in conjunction with the experiences of other doctors, and the research on the topic.
The issue of possible risks to infants is particularly tricky. A lot of studies on this subject are based on observational data instead of controlled research and their findings are often contradictory. In addition, most studies limit their analysis to live births, which may undervalue the serious teratogenic effects that can result in abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study discussed in the journal club addresses these limitations by analyzing both the data from deceased and live births.
Conclusion A few studies have revealed a positive correlation between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not shown such a relationship. Most studies have shown that there is a neutral, or somewhat negative, effect. In all cases an in-depth analysis of the potential risks and benefits is required.
For a lot of women with ADHD, the decision to discontinue medication is difficult, if not impossible. In a recent article published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can increase depression and feelings of being isolated. A loss of medication may also impact the ability to safely drive and complete work-related tasks, which are vital aspects of everyday life for those with ADHD.
She suggests that women who are unsure whether to continue taking medication or stop due to pregnancy should educate family members, coworkers, and friends about the condition, the effects on daily functioning, and the benefits of continuing the current treatment. Educating them can also aid in ensuring that the woman feels supported in her struggle with her decision. It is also worth noting that certain medications can pass through the placenta therefore, if a patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware that traces of the medication could be transferred to the child.
Risk of Birth Defects
As the use and use of ADHD medications to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the concern over the potential adverse effects of the drugs on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge regarding this topic. Using two massive data sets, researchers were able to examine more than 4.3 million pregnancies to determine whether stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. While the overall risk remains low, the scientists found that exposure in the first trimester to ADHD medications was linked to an increased risk of certain heart defects, such as ventriculo-septal defect (VSD).
The researchers of the study found no connection between the use of early medications and other congenital abnormalities, like facial clefting, or club foot. The findings are in line with previous studies showing the presence of a small, but significant increase in the risk of cardiac malformations in women who started taking ADHD medications before pregnancy. The risk increased in the latter stages of pregnancy when many women decided to stop taking their medication.
Women who took ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean delivery and also have a low Apgar after birth and had a baby that required help breathing when they were born. The authors of the study could not remove bias in selection since they limited the study to women without other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.
Researchers hope their research will inform physicians when they meet pregnant women. They suggest that although the discussion of the benefits and risks is important, the decision to stop or keep treatment must be based on each woman's requirements and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.
The authors also advise that while discontinuing the medications is an option, it is not an option that is recommended due to the high prevalence of depression and other mental health problems among women who are pregnant or post-partum. Further, the research suggests that women who choose to stop taking their medication are more likely to experience difficulties getting used to life without them following the baby's arrival.
Nursing
It can be a challenge becoming a mother. Women who suffer from ADHD who must work through their symptoms while attending physician appointments and getting ready for the arrival of a child and adjusting to new adhd medication household routines are often faced with a number of difficulties. Many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The risk for nursing infant is low because the majority of stimulant medication passes through breast milk in low amounts. However, the frequency of medication exposure to the newborn may differ based on dosage, how often it is administered, and the time of the day the medication is administered. In addition, different medications are introduced into the baby's system through the gastrointestinal tract or breast milk. The impact on the health of a newborn is not completely known.
Some physicians may discontinue stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy due to the absence of research. This is a difficult choice for the patient, who must balance the benefit of continuing her medication against the potential dangers to the embryo. Until more information becomes available, doctors may ask pregnant patients if they have a background of adhd medication cost uk or if they plan to take medication during the perinatal stage.
Many studies have shown that women can continue taking their ADHD medication without risk while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. In response, a growing number of patients are opting to continue their medication. They have discovered, in consultation with their doctors that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh potential risks.
It's important for women with ADHD who are thinking of breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's advice prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber, and the pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation should also be provided to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD be aware of their symptoms and underlying disorder and learn about treatment options and reinforce existing strategies for managing. This should be a multidisciplinary process together with obstetricians, GPs and psychiatry. Counselling for pregnancy should include the discussion of a treatment plan for both the mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.