10 Things You Learned In Kindergarden That'll Help You With ADHD Medication Pregnancy
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The decision to stop or keep ADHD medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding is a challenge for women suffering from the condition. There is a lack of information about how long-term exposure to these drugs can affect the foetus.
A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus don't develop neurological developmental disorders such as hearing or vision impairment seizures, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for higher-quality research.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Pregnant women who take ADHD medications must weigh the advantages of using them against the risks to the foetus. Doctors don't have enough data to make unambiguous recommendations however they can provide information on the risks and benefits to help pregnant women make informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who took ADHD medication during their early pregnancy did not have a greater risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a large population-based study of case-control to assess the risk of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who took stimulants during early pregnancy, as well as those who had not. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists reviewed the cases to ensure accurate case classification and to limit the possibility of bias.
The research conducted by the researchers was not without limitations. Researchers were unable, in the first place, to separate the effects caused by the medication from the disorder. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to determine whether the few associations observed between the exposed groups were due to medication use or if they were caused by the presence of comorbidities. The researchers also did not look at long-term outcomes for offspring.
The study showed that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy had a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU) as compared to those whose mothers didn't take any medication during pregnancy or had discontinued taking their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system-related disorders, and the increased risk of admission was not found to be affected by the type of stimulant medications were taken during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher likelihood of having an emergency caesarean section or having one whose baby scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases appear to be independent of the type of medication taken during pregnancy.
The research suggests that the risk of a small amount with the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancy could be offset by the higher benefit to both mother and child from continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should discuss this with their patients and, where possible, help them develop strategies to improve coping skills that can lessen the impact of her disorder on her daily functioning and relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever are diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medication, the question of whether to continue or stop treatment during pregnancy is one that more and more physicians have to face. Most of the time, these decisions are taken in the absence of any evidence that is clear and definitive either way, so physicians must weigh their knowledge, the experiences of other doctors, and what the research says on the topic, along with their best judgment for each individual patient.
The issue of potential risks for infants can be extremely difficult. The research on this subject is based on observations rather than controlled studies, and many of the findings are in conflict. In addition, most studies limit their analysis to live births, which can underestimate severe teratogenic effects that cause abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these limitations, by examining both information on deceased and live births.
Conclusion A few studies have revealed an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects However, other studies haven't shown such a relationship. The majority of studies show a neutral, or even slight negative effect. In all cases, a careful study of the risks and benefits is required.
It can be challenging, if 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 lead to depression and feelings of being isolated. In addition, a decrease in medication may affect the ability to do job-related tasks and drive safely, which are important aspects of daily life for a lot of people with ADHD.
She suggests that women who are not sure whether to continue taking medication or discontinue it due to pregnancy educate family members, colleagues, and friends about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the benefits of keeping the current treatment plan. It can also help the woman feel supported as she struggles with her decision. It is also worth noting that certain drugs can be absorbed through the placenta therefore, if a patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware of the possibility that traces of the medication could be transferred to the infant.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use of ADHD medications to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows, so do concerns about the effects that the medications could have on fetuses. A recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the existing information on this topic. Researchers used two massive data sets to examine more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine if the use of stimulant medications caused birth defects. Researchers discovered that although the overall risk is low, first-trimester ADHD exposure to medication was associated with slightly higher risk of certain heart defects, like ventriculoseptal defects.
The researchers of the study did not discover any link between the use of early medications and congenital anomalies such as facial deformities or club feet. The results are in line with previous studies showing an increase, but not significant, in the risk of developing cardiac malformations in women who started taking ADHD medications prior to the time of pregnancy. This risk increased in the latter half of pregnancy, as many women decide to stop taking their ADHD medication.
Women who were taking ADHD medication during the first trimester were more likely to require a caesarean delivery or have an insufficient Apgar after birth and have a baby who needed breathing assistance when they were born. The researchers of the study were not able to eliminate bias due to selection because they restricted 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 treat pregnant women. The researchers recommend that while discussing risks and benefits are important, the decision regarding whether or not to stop medication should be according to the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her requirements.
The authors also caution that even though stopping the medication is an option, it isn't an option that is recommended due to the high rate of depression and other mental health issues for women who are expecting or postpartum. Additionally, the research suggests that women who choose to stop taking their medications are more likely to experience a difficult time getting used to life without them after the baby's arrival.
Nursing
The responsibilities of a new mother can be overwhelming. Women with ADHD who must work through their symptoms while attending doctor appointments and preparing for the arrival of a baby and adjusting to new household routines are often faced with a number of difficulties. Many women opt to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant drugs are absorbed by breast milk in very small amounts, so the risk to the breastfeeding infant is minimal. However, the frequency of exposure to medications by the newborn can vary depending on dosage, how often it is taken and at what time the medication 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 infant is not yet fully known.
medication adhd adults may decide to stop stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy due to the absence of research. This is a difficult decision for the patient, who must balance the benefits of keeping her medication with the potential risks to the foetus. Until more information becomes available, doctors may ask pregnant patients whether they have a history of ADHD or if they plan to take medication in the perinatal phase.
Many studies have shown that women can continue taking their ADHD medication in a safe manner during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. In the end, many patients choose to do so, and in consultation with their doctor they have discovered that the benefits of keeping their current medication far exceed any risk.
Women with ADHD who are planning to nurse should seek the advice of a specialist psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological management strategies. Psychoeducation should also be offered to help women with ADHD be aware of their symptoms and underlying disorder Learn about the available treatment options and reinforce existing strategies for managing. This should be a multidisciplinary process together with obstetricians, GPs and psychiatry. Pregnancy counselling should include the discussion of a treatment plan for both the mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.