What s The Ugly Real Truth Of ADHD Medication Pregnancy
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women with ADHD face a difficult decision regarding whether or not to stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Little data exists about how long-term exposure to these medications could affect the fetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological problems such as impaired hearing or vision, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for higher-quality research.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and taking ADHD medications need to balance the benefits of taking them against potential risks to the foetus. Physicians don't have the data to make unambiguous recommendations but they can provide information about risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making informed decisions.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who used ADHD medications during early pregnancy did not face an increased risk of fetal heart malformations or major birth defects that are structural. Researchers used a large population-based case control study to assess the frequency of structural defects that were major in infants who were born to mothers who were taking stimulants during pregnancy. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts looked over the cases to make sure that the classification was accurate and to minimize any bias.
The study of the researchers was not without its limitations. The most important issue was that they were unable to separate the effects of the medication from those of the disorder at hand. This makes it difficult to know whether the limited associations observed in the groups that were exposed are due to the use of medication or the confounding effect of comorbidities. Additionally the study did not study the long-term effects of offspring on their parents.
The study did reveal that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at slightly higher risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who whose mothers did not take any medication or cut back on their medications prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an increased risk of having a caesarean delivery or having a child with an low Apgar score (less than 7). These risks did not appear to be influenced 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 the early stages of pregnancy may be offset by the greater benefit to both the mother and child from continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should speak with their patients about this and as much as possible, assist them develop coping skills that may reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily life and relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever are being diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the question of whether or not to stop treatment during pregnancy is one that doctors are having to face. These decisions are usually made without clear and reliable evidence. Instead, doctors must weigh their own knowledge and experience, as well as the experiences of other doctors, and the research that has been conducted on the subject.
In particular, the issue of possible risks to the infant can be difficult. The research on this subject is based on observation rather than controlled studies and the results are contradictory. The majority of studies limit their analysis to live births, which may underestimate the teratogenic impact which can cause terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these limitations, by examining both the data from deceased and live births.
The conclusion: While certain studies have demonstrated an association between ADHD medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, others have found no such relationship and the majority of studies show a neutral or even slightly negative effect. As a result, a careful risk/benefit analysis must be conducted in every instance.
For women suffering from starting adhd best medication for adhd combined type adults (Recommended Looking at) and ADD, the decision to stop taking medication can be difficult, if not impossible. In an article published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication for adhd during pregnancy can cause depression, feelings of loneliness and family conflict for these patients. The loss of medication can also affect the ability to safely drive and perform work-related tasks, which are essential aspects of everyday life for those with ADHD.
She suggests that women who aren't sure whether to continue taking the medication or discontinue it due to pregnancy should educate family members, coworkers and friends about the condition, the impact on daily functioning and the advantages of staying on the current treatment. Educating them can also aid in ensuring that the woman feels supported as she struggles with her decision. Certain medications can pass through the placenta. If a woman decides to not take her adhd medication adults uk medication while pregnant and breastfeeding, it is important to be aware that the drug may be transferred to her infant.
Risk of Birth Defects
As the use of ADHD medication to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows as do 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 topic. With two massive data sets researchers were able examine more than 4.3 million pregnancies and see whether stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. While the overall risk remains low, the scientists discovered that the first-trimester exposure to ADHD medications was associated with a slightly higher rate of specific heart defects, such as ventriculo-septal defect (VSD).
The researchers of the study found no association between early use of medication and congenital abnormalities like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are in line with previous studies which showed a small, but significant increase in cardiac malformations for women who began taking ADHD medication before the time of pregnancy. The risk was higher in the latter half of pregnancy, when many women begin to discontinue their medication.
Women who took ADHD medications in the first trimester of their pregnancy were also more likely to have caesarean sections, a low Apgar score following delivery, and a baby that required breathing assistance during birth. However the researchers of the study were unable to eliminate bias due to selection by limiting the study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that could have contributed to these findings.
The researchers hope that their research will help inform the clinical decisions of doctors who see pregnant women. They suggest that although discussing risks and benefits is important, the decision to stop or keep medication should be based on each woman's requirements and the severity of her strongest adhd medication symptoms.
The authors also caution that even though 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 tough transitioning to life without them after the baby is born.
Nursing
It can be a stressful experience to become a mother. Women who suffer from ADHD who must work through their symptoms while attending doctor appointments as well as preparing for the arrival of a child and adjusting to new household routines are often faced with a number of difficulties. This is why many women elect to continue taking their safest adhd medication medications throughout pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant drugs pass through breast milk in very small amounts, therefore the risk to breastfeeding infant is minimal. The amount of exposure to medications can vary depending upon the dosage and frequency of administration as well as time of day. Additionally, 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 evidence, some doctors might be tempted to stop taking stimulant medication during a woman's pregnancy. It's a difficult choice for the woman, who must weigh the advantages of taking her medication as well as the potential risks to the fetus. In the meantime, until more information is available, doctors may inquire about pregnant patients if they have a history of ADHD or if they plan to take medication during the perinatal period.
Many studies have shown that women can continue to take their ADHD medication without risk during pregnancy and breast-feeding. As a result, many patients choose to do so and in consultation with their physician, they have found that the benefits of keeping their current medication exceed any risk.
It's important for women with ADHD who are considering breastfeeding to seek a specialist psychiatrist's guidance prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant people with ADHD understand their symptoms and the root cause and learn about treatments and to reinforce existing coping strategies. This should be a multidisciplinary effort together with obstetricians, GPs and psychiatrists. Counselling for pregnancy should include discussion of a management plan for both mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration, and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.