15 Trends That Are Coming Up About ADHD Medication Pregnancy
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 breast-feeding. There aren't enough data on how exposure to inattentive adhd medication for a long time could affect the fetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during the uterus don't develop neurological developmental disorders like hearing loss or impaired vision seizures, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that further high-quality studies are required.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication should weigh the benefits of taking it versus the risks to the fetus. Doctors don't have the necessary data to make unequivocal recommendations but they can provide information on the risks and benefits to assist pregnant women in making informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication during their early pregnancy were not at a greater risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a large population-based study of case control to assess the frequency of structural defects that were major in infants who were born to mothers who used stimulants during pregnancy. Clinical geneticists and pediatric cardiologists reviewed the cases to ensure an accurate case classification and to minimize the chance of bias.
The research conducted by the researchers was not without limitations. In particular, they were unable to distinguish the effects of the medication from those of the disorder at hand. That limitation makes it difficult to determine whether the small associations observed in the groups that were exposed are due to the use of medication or the confounding effect of comorbidities. In addition the researchers did not examine the long-term outcomes of offspring.
The study did find 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 were born without any medication or had stopped their medications before or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system-related disorders, and the increased risk for admission did not appear to be influenced by the stimulant medications were used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher risk of having to have an emergency caesarean section or having one whose baby scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases appeared to be independent of the type of medication used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the small risk of using ADHD medications during early pregnancies could be offset by the greater benefits for baby and mother of continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should discuss the issue with their patients and, where they are able, assist them in developing strategies to improve their coping abilities which can reduce the impact of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.
Medication Interactions
Doctors are increasingly confronted with the dilemma of whether to keep treatment or stop as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. Often, these decisions are made without solid and reliable evidence either way, so physicians have to weigh their experience, the experiences of other doctors, and what the research suggests about the subject as well as their own best adhd medication for women (simply click the up coming website page) judgment for each patient.
In particular, the issue of potential risks to the baby can be a challenge. The research on this issue is based on observation instead of controlled studies and a lot of the results are in conflict. Most studies limit their analysis to live-births, which could underestimate the teratogenic impact leading to abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study discussed in the journal club addresses these shortcomings by analyzing both information on deceased and live 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 an unintended, or somewhat negative, impact. Therefore, a careful risk/benefit assessment must be done in each instance.
For a lot of women with ADHD, the decision to stop medication can be difficult, if not impossible. In a recent piece published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can cause depression and feelings of being isolated. A decrease in medication could affect the ability to drive safely and perform work-related tasks, which are crucial aspects of normal life for those with ADHD.
She suggests that women who are unsure about whether to keep or stop medication in light of their pregnancy, consider informing family members, friends and colleagues about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and on the advantages of continuing the current treatment plan. It can also help women feel supported in her decision. It is important to note that some medications are able to be absorbed through the placenta so if the patient decides to stop taking her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware that the effects of the medication could be transferred to the infant.
Birth Defects Risk
As the use and abuse of ADHD medication for adhd and anxiety in adults to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing as does adhd medication work the concern about the possible effects of the drugs on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge on this topic. With two massive data sets, researchers were able to analyze more than 4.3 million pregnancies to determine whether the use of stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that although the risk overall is low, the first trimester ADHD medication exposure was associated with slightly higher rates of specific heart defects such as ventriculoseptal defect.
The researchers behind the study found no connection between the use of early medications and congenital abnormalities like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are in line with previous studies which showed the existence of a slight, but significant increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medication prior to pregnancy. The risk increased in the latter part of pregnancy when many women began to stop taking their medication.
Women who were taking ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely need a caesarean and also have a low Apgar after delivery and have a baby who needed help breathing after birth. The researchers of the study were unable to eliminate bias due to selection because they limited the study to women with no other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.
Researchers hope that their study will help doctors when they encounter pregnant women. They advise that while discussing the benefits and risks is important but the decision to stop or maintain treatment should be based on the woman's requirements and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.
The authors warn that, while stopping the medication is an option to look into, it is not advised because of the high incidence of depression and mental health issues for women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Furthermore, research suggests that women who decide to stop taking their medications are more likely to experience difficulties adapting to life without them following the baby's arrival.
Nursing
It can be overwhelming to become a mother. Women suffering from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they must deal with their symptoms, go to doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a baby and adjust to a new routine. This is why many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout pregnancy.
The risk to a nursing infant is low because the majority of stimulant medications passes through breast milk in low amounts. However, the amount of exposure to medication by the infant can differ based on dosage, how often it is administered, and the time of the day the medication is administered. Additionally, different medications enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk. The impact of this on a newborn infant is not yet fully known.
Due to the absence of research, some physicians might be tempted to stop taking stimulant drugs during the pregnancy of a woman. This is a difficult decision for the woman who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication against the risk to the fetus. In the meantime, until more information is available, GPs may inquire about pregnant patients if they have a history of ADHD or if they intend to take medication in the perinatal period.
Many studies have shown that women can continue to take their ADHD medication safely during pregnancy and breast-feeding. This has led to more and more patients choose to do so and, in consultation with their doctor they have found that the benefits of continuing their current medication far outweigh any risks.
Women who suffer from adhd medication how does it work who plan to breastfeed should seek the advice of a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should review their medications with their physician and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non-pharmacological management strategies. Psychoeducation should also be offered to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD recognize their symptoms and underlying disorder, learn about available treatment options and strengthen existing strategies for coping. This should be a multidisciplinary process with the GPs, obstetricians and psychiatry. Pregnancy counseling should include discussion of a treatment plan for the mother as well as the child, monitoring of signs of deterioration, and, if necessary, adjustments to the medication regime.