The Three Greatest Moments In ADHD Medication Pregnancy History
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women with ADHD must make a difficult decision on whether to keep or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There are few data regarding how exposure over time may affect the pregnant fetus.
A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus don't develop neurological developmental disorders like impaired vision or hearing seizures, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality studies.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and taking ADHD medications need to balance the advantages of taking them against potential risks to the fetus. Doctors don't have the data needed to provide clear recommendations however they can provide information on the risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who were taking ADHD medications in early pregnancy did not face an increased risk of fetal heart malformations or major structural birth defects. Researchers used a vast population-based study of case-control to evaluate the incidence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who had taken stimulants in the early stages of pregnancy and those who had not. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists reviewed the cases to ensure an accurate classification of the cases and to reduce the possibility of bias.
The study conducted by the researchers had some limitations. The researchers were not able to, in the first place to differentiate the effects triggered by the medication from the disorder. This limitation makes it difficult to know whether the small differences observed in the groups that were exposed are due to the use of medication or the confounding effect of comorbidities. The researchers did not examine the long-term effects for the offspring.
The study did reveal that infants whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those who were born without any medication or had cut back on their medications prior to or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system-related disorders, and the increased risk of admission was not found to be influenced by the stimulant medications were taken during pregnancy.
Women who used stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an elevated risk of having a caesarean section or having a child with low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases did not appear 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 could be offset by the greater benefits for mother and baby of continuing treatment for the woman’s disorder. Physicians should talk to their patients about this issue and try to help them develop coping strategies that may reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily functioning and her relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever before are being diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the question of whether or not to stop treatment during pregnancy is a question that more and more physicians have to face. The majority of these decisions are taken in the absence of solid and reliable evidence in either case, which means that doctors must weigh what they know from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what research suggests on the subject as well as their best judgment for each individual patient.
The issue of risk to the infant can be extremely difficult. Many studies on this topic are based on observations rather than controlled research, and their conclusions are often contradictory. Furthermore, most studies restrict their analysis to live births, which can underestimate severe teratogenic effects that lead to abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these limitations by analyzing the data from deceased and live births.
Conclusion: While some studies have shown an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not established a link. Most studies have shown a neutral, or even slight negative impact. Therefore an accurate risk-benefit analysis must be conducted in every instance.
For a lot of women with ADHD, the decision to stop medication is difficult if not impossible. In a recent article 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. In addition, a decrease in medication can affect the ability to do job-related tasks and drive safely, which are important aspects of a normal life for many people with ADHD.
She recommends that women who are unsure about whether to continue or stop medication in light of their pregnancy, consider educating family members, friends and colleagues about the condition, its effects on daily life, and the advantages of continuing the current treatment regimen. It can also help a woman feel more confident in her decision. Some medications can pass through the placenta. If a woman decides not to take her ADHD medication while pregnant and breastfeeding, it is important to be aware that the medication could be passed on to her baby.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use and abuse of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing as does the concern about the possible effects of the drugs on fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge regarding this topic. Utilizing two huge data sets researchers were able analyze more than 4.3 million pregnancies to determine whether stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the overall risk is low, the first trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher risk of certain heart defects, such as ventriculoseptal defect.
The researchers behind the study found no link between early medication use and congenital abnormalities such as facial clefting or club foot. The results are in agreement with previous studies that showed a small, but significant increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medication prior to the time of pregnancy. The risk was higher during the latter part of pregnancy, as many women decide to stop taking their ADHD medication.
Women who used ADHD medications in the first trimester of their pregnancies were also more likely to experience a caesarean section, a low Apgar score following delivery, and a baby who needed help breathing at birth. However the authors of the study were not able to eliminate selection bias by restricting the study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.
Researchers hope that their study will inform physicians when they meet pregnant women. They advise that while discussing risks and benefits is important however, the decision to stop or maintain medication must be based on each woman's requirements and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.
The authors also advise that, while stopping the medication is an alternative, it is not an option that is recommended due to the high rate of depression and other mental health problems for women who are expecting or post-partum. Additionally, research suggests that women who stop taking their medications will have a harder adjustment to life without them after the baby is born.
Nursing
The responsibilities of a new mom can be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD who must work through their symptoms while attending physician appointments and getting ready for the arrival of a baby and adapting to new routines in the home may face a lot of challenges. As such, many women choose to continue taking their online adhd medication medication throughout the pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant medications pass through breast milk in very small amounts, therefore the risk to breastfeeding infant is minimal. However, the frequency of exposure to medications by the infant can differ based on dosage, frequency it is administered and the time of the day it is administered. In addition, individual medications enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk and the impact of this on a newborn isn't fully known.
Because of the lack of research, some physicians may be inclined to discontinue stimulant medication during the course of pregnancy. This is a difficult choice for the patient, who must weigh the benefit of continuing her medication against the possible dangers to the embryo. Until more information is available, doctors should inquire with all adhd medications (visit the next web site) pregnant patients about their experience with ADHD and if they are planning or taking to take medication during the perinatal time.
A growing number of studies have revealed that most women can safely continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In response, an increasing number of patients are choosing to continue their medication. They have concluded after consulting with their doctor, that the benefits of retaining their current medication outweigh risk.
Women with adhd medication prescription uk who are planning to breastfeed should seek advice from a specialist psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss the medication they are taking with their physician as well as the pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation is also needed to help pregnant women suffering from inattentive adhd medication be aware of the symptoms and underlying disorder. They should also learn about treatment options and build strategies for coping. This should involve an approach that is multidisciplinary, including the GP as well as obstetricians, psychiatry and obstetricians. Counselling for pregnancy should include the discussion of a plan for management for both mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration and, if necessary, adjustments to the medication regimen.