15 Trends That Are Coming Up About ADHD Medication Pregnancy
15 Trends That Are Coming Up About ADHD Medication Pregnancy
Blog Article
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women with ADHD have to make a difficult choice about whether to continue or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There aren't enough data on how exposure to ADHD for a long time could affect a pregnant fetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during the uterus don't develop neurological developmental conditions like hearing loss or impaired vision seizures, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality studies.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and take ADHD medication should weigh the benefits of taking it versus the risks for the fetus. The doctors don't have the information to give clear advice, but can provide information about risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who took ADHD medication during early pregnancy were not at higher risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers used a vast, population-based case-control study to evaluate the incidence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who had taken stimulants during early pregnancy, and those who did not. Pediatric cardiologists, clinical geneticists and other experts reviewed the cases in order to confirm that the classification was accurate and to eliminate any bias.
However, the researchers' study had its limitations. The researchers were not able to, in the first place, to separate the effects caused by the medication from the disorder. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to establish whether the few associations observed between the groups exposed were due to medication use, or if they were confounded by comorbidities. In addition, the researchers did not look at the long-term outcomes of offspring.
The study did find that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a higher risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those who were born without any medication or had taken off their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system-related disorders and the higher risk of admission did not appear to be influenced by which stimulant medication was used during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher risk of having to have a caesarean section or a baby that scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases appeared to be unrelated to the type of medication used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the minor risks associated with the use ADHD medication during pregnancies in the early stages may be offset by the greater benefits for mother and baby of continuing treatment for the woman’s disorder. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this and try to help them develop coping skills that can lessen the effects of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.
Interactions with Medication
Many doctors are confronted with the dilemma of whether to maintain treatment or stop as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. These decisions are frequently made without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, doctors 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 the infant can be particularly tricky. Many of the studies on this issue are based on observations rather than controlled research and their conclusions are often contradictory. Furthermore, most studies restrict their analysis to live births, which may underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that could lead to abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study presented in this journal club addresses these issues by looking at data from both live and deceased 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 such relationship, and most studies show a neutral or even slightly negative effect. In all cases, a careful analysis of the benefits and risks must be performed.
It isn't easy, but not impossible for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In a recent piece published in Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can increase depression and feelings of isolation. In addition, a decrease in medication can affect the ability to do job-related tasks and drive safely, which are important aspects of daily life for many people suffering from ADHD.
She suggests that women who are unsure about whether to keep or stop taking medication because of their pregnancy should consider educating family members, friends, and coworkers on the condition, its impact on daily functioning, and the benefits of keeping the current treatment plan. It can also help the woman feel supported in her struggle with her decision. Some medications can pass through the placenta. If a patient decides not to take her ADHD medication while pregnant and breastfeeding, it is important to be aware that the medication could be transferred to the baby.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases there are concerns about what impact the drugs might have on the fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge on this subject. 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 discovered that although the risk overall is low, the first trimester ADHD medication exposure was associated with slightly higher rates of certain heart defects, like ventriculoseptal defect.
The researchers of the study didn't discover any connection between early medication usage and other congenital anomalies like facial deformities, or club feet. The results are in agreement with previous studies which 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 grew in the later part of pregnancy, when many women are forced to stop taking their medication.
Women who were taking ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely to need a caesarean, have a low Apgar after delivery and had a baby that required help breathing when they were born. The researchers of the study were unable to eliminate selection bias because they limited the study to women without other medical conditions that might have contributed to the findings.
The researchers hope that their research will help inform the clinical decisions of doctors who see pregnant women. The researchers suggest that while discussing risks and benefits are crucial, the decision regarding whether or not to stop medication should be made based on the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her needs.
The authors caution that, read more although stopping the medication is an option to look into, it is not recommended because of the high incidence of depression and other mental disorders in women who are expecting or who have recently given birth. Further, research shows that women who stop taking their medication will have a tough adjustment to life without them after the baby is born.
Nursing
The responsibilities that come with being a new mother can be overwhelming. Women with ADHD can face severe challenges when they must deal with their symptoms, go to doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a baby and adjust to new routines. Many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant drugs are absorbed by breast milk in small amounts, therefore the risk to the infant who is breastfeeding is low. However, the rate of exposure to medication by the newborn can vary depending on dosage, frequency it is administered, and the time of the day it is administered. Additionally, different drugs enter the infant's system through the gastrointestinal tract, or through breast milk. The effect on a newborn's health is not completely comprehended.
Due to the absence of evidence, some doctors may be inclined to discontinue stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy. This is a difficult decision for the woman, who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication against the risk to the foetus. In the meantime, until more information is available, GPs should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and if they are taking or planning to take medication during the perinatal period.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that women can continue taking their ADHD medication without risk during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. In the end, more and more patients opt to do this, and after consulting with their doctor, they have discovered that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh any potential risks.
Women who suffer from ADHD who are planning to breastfeed should seek advice from a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation should also be provided to help pregnant people with ADHD understand their symptoms and the underlying disorder and learn about treatments and to reinforce existing strategies for managing. This should involve a multidisciplinary approach, which includes the GP doctors, obstetricians and psychiatrists. Pregnancy counselling should include the discussion of a treatment plan for both mother and child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration, and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.