25 Surprising Facts About ADHD Medication Pregnancy

25 Surprising Facts About ADHD Medication Pregnancy

Blog Article

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 are few data regarding how exposure over time may affect the pregnant fetus.

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological disorders such as hearing loss or vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality studies.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Pregnant women who use ADHD medications need to balance the advantages of taking them against the potential risks to the fetus. Doctors don't have the data needed to provide clear recommendations however they can provide information about the risks and benefits to help pregnant women make informed decisions.

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. Researchers used a large sample-based case control study to examine the prevalence of major structural defects in infants who were born to mothers who used stimulants during pregnancy. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists looked over the cases to ensure an accurate case classification and to minimize the chance of bias.

However, the researchers' study was not without its flaws. The most important issue was that they were not able to differentiate the effects of the medication from the effects of the disorder at hand. That limitation makes it difficult to know whether the small differences observed in the exposed groups are due to the use of medication or the confounding effect of comorbidities. Additionally, the researchers did not study the long-term outcomes of offspring.

The study did find that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medications during pregnancy were at a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who whose mothers did not take any medication or taken off their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medications used during pregnancy.

Women who used stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an increased risk of having a caesarean section or having a baby with a low Apgar score (less than 7). These risks did not appear to be affected by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.

The research suggests that the small risk associated with the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancy could be offset by the greater benefit to both mother and child from 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 that may minimize the negative impact of her condition on her daily functioning and relationships.

Medication Interactions

More and more doctors are faced with the decision of whether to continue treatment or stop it during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. The majority of these decisions are made without solid and reliable evidence regardless, so doctors must weigh their knowledge from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what the research suggests about the subject, along with their best judgment for each patient.

The issue of potential risks for infants can be difficult to determine. The research that has been conducted on this topic is based on observations rather than controlled studies and the results are contradictory. The majority of studies restrict their analysis to live births, which may underestimate the teratogenic impact leading to abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study presented in this journal club addresses these limitations by analyzing data on live and deceased births.

The conclusion The conclusion: While some studies have shown an association between ADHD medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, other studies have found no connection, and most studies have a neutral or slight negative effect. Therefore an accurate risk-benefit analysis must be done in each situation.

For a lot of women with ADHD, the decision to stop medication is 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 lead to depression and feelings of loneliness. Additionally, the loss of medication can interfere with the ability to perform work-related tasks and safely drive, which are important aspects of daily life for many people with ADHD.

She suggests women who are unsure about whether to continue or discontinue medication due to their pregnancy consider educating family members, friends, and coworkers on the condition, its effects on daily life, and the benefits of keeping the current treatment plan. In addition, educating them can make the woman feel more comfortable as she struggles with her decision. It is also worth noting that certain medications can pass through the placenta therefore, if a patient 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 Risk

As the use and misuse of ADHD medication to treat symptoms of attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing, so does concern about the potential effects of these drugs on fetuses. A recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the body of knowledge on this subject. 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. Although the risk overall remains low, the researchers found that exposure in the first trimester to ADHD medicines was associated with an increased risk of specific heart defects, such as ventriculo-septal defect (VSD).

The researchers behind the study found no connection between early use of medication and congenital abnormalities like facial clefting, or club foot. The results 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. This risk increased during the latter part of pregnancy, when many women are forced to stop taking their ADHD medication.

Women who were taking ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean delivery, have a low Apgar after birth and had a baby that required breathing assistance when they were born. The authors of the study were unable to remove bias in selection since they limited the study to women with no other medical conditions that might have contributed to the findings.

Researchers hope that their research will inform physicians when they encounter pregnant women. The researchers recommend that, while discussing risks and benefits are important, the choice on whether to continue or stop medication should be in light of the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her needs.

The authors also warn that, while stopping the medication is an option, it isn't a recommended practice because of the high prevalence of depression and other mental health problems in women who are pregnant or postpartum. Furthermore, research suggests that women who choose to stop taking their medications are more likely to have a difficult time adjusting to life without them following the baby's arrival.

Nursing

The responsibilities that come with being a new mom can be overwhelming. Women with ADHD who must work through their symptoms while attending physician appointments, preparing for the arrival of a baby and adapting to new routines in the home may face a lot of challenges. As such, many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout the course of pregnancy.

The majority of stimulant medications are absorbed by breast milk in very small amounts, therefore the risk for nursing infant is very low. However, the rate of medication exposure to the newborn can vary depending on dosage, frequency it is taken and at what time it is administered. In addition, individual medications enter the body of the baby differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk. The impact of this on a newborn infant is not yet fully known.

Due to the absence of research, some physicians may recommend stopping stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy. This is a difficult decision for the patient, who must weigh the benefits of keeping her medication against the potential dangers to the embryo. In the meantime, until more information is available, GPs can inquire about pregnant patients whether they have an background of ADHD or if they plan to take medication in the perinatal period.

Many studies have shown that women can continue to take their ADHD medication in a safe manner while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. As a result, more and more patients choose to do so and, in consultation with their physician, they have discovered that the benefits of continuing their current medication outweigh any risks.

It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD who are contemplating breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's guidance prior to becoming pregnant. They should review their medications with their prescriber and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non-pharmacological management strategies. Psychoeducation is also needed to help pregnant women with ADHD recognize the signs and underlying disorder. They should also be educated about treatment options and reinforce coping mechanisms. This should be a multidisciplinary approach including obstetricians, read more GPs and psychiatrists. Counselling for pregnancy should include discussion of a management plan for both the mother as well as the child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration, and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.