ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women suffering from ADHD have to make a difficult choice on whether to keep or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. There aren't enough data regarding how exposure over time may affect a foetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological issues 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 take ADHD medications need to balance the benefits of taking them against the potential risks to the fetus. Physicians don't have the data to make unambiguous recommendations however they
can adhd medication help with memory provide information on risks and benefits to help pregnant women make informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking
strongest adhd medication for adults medication during early pregnancy were not at a greater risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a massive sample-based case control study to assess the frequency of structural defects that were major in infants born to mothers who used stimulants during pregnancy. Pediatric cardiologists, clinical geneticists and other experts examined the cases to ensure that the classification was correct and to minimize any bias.
The research conducted by the researchers had some limitations. In particular, they were unable to distinguish the effects of the medication from those of the disorder at hand. This makes it difficult for researchers to establish whether the small associations observed among the groups that were exposed to the use of medications or if they were affected by co-morbidities. In addition the researchers did not study the long-term effects of offspring on their parents.
The study showed that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly higher chance of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU), compared to those whose mothers did not take any medication during pregnancy or had discontinued taking their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not influenced by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher chance of having to have caesarean sections or the baby was not scoring well on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases did not appear to be influenced by the type of medication that was used 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 greater benefits to both the mother and child of continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should talk to their patients about this and as much as possible, assist them develop coping strategies that could reduce the effects of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever are diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medication, the question of whether or not to end treatment during pregnancy is a question that doctors are having to confront. The majority of these decisions are made without any evidence that is clear and definitive either way, so physicians must weigh their knowledge from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what the research says on the topic and their own best judgment for each patient.
Particularly, the subject of potential risks for the infant can be difficult. The research on this issue is based on observation rather than controlled studies and the results are conflicting. Most studies restrict their analysis to live-births, which could underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects which can cause terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these issues by analyzing information on deceased and live 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 not found any evidence of a link and the majority of studies demonstrate a neutral or slightly negative effect. In every case it is imperative to conduct a thorough analysis of the potential risks and benefits is required.
For a lot of women with ADHD and
add adhd medications, the decision to discontinue medication is difficult, if not impossible. In fact, in a recent article in Archives of Women's Mental Health psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can increase depression, feelings of isolation and family conflict for these patients. A decrease in medication could also impact the ability to safely drive and perform work-related tasks, which are essential aspects of normal life for those suffering from ADHD.
She suggests that women who are unsure whether to take the medication or stop it due to their pregnancy should educate family members, coworkers, and friends about the condition, the effects on daily functioning, and the benefits of continuing the current treatment. In addition, educating them can make the woman feel more comfortable when she is struggling with her decision. Some medications can pass through the placenta. If the patient 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 infant.
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 potential effects of these drugs on fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body knowledge on this issue. Researchers used two massive datasets to analyze over 4.3 million pregnancies and determine whether stimulant medications caused birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the risk overall is low, the first trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects such as ventriculoseptal defect.
The researchers behind the study found no connection between the use of early medications and other congenital abnormalities, such as facial clefting or club foot. The results are consistent with previous studies that have shown the presence of a small, but significant increase in the risk of cardiac malformations among women who started taking ADHD medications before the time of pregnancy. The risk grew in the latter half of pregnancy, as many women are forced to stop taking their ADHD medications.
Women who took ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely need a caesarean and also have an insufficient Apgar after delivery and had a baby that required help breathing when they were born. However the authors of the study were not able to eliminate bias due to selection by restricting the study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that could be a contributing factor to these findings.
The researchers hope that their research will aid in the clinical decisions of physicians who encounter pregnant women. The researchers recommend that, while discussing risks and benefits are important, the decision on whether to continue or stop medication should be according to the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her requirements.
The authors warn that, even though stopping the medication is an option to look into, it is not advised due to the high prevalence of depression and mental health issues in women who are expecting or recently gave birth. Additionally, research suggests that women who stop taking their medications will have a harder time adjusting to a life without them once the baby is born.
Nursing
It can be a challenge to become a mom. Women with ADHD who have to manage their symptoms while attending doctor appointments as well as getting ready for the arrival of a child and getting used to new routines at home are often faced with a number of difficulties. As such, many women choose to continue taking their adhd Medication pregnancy (
https://Sprzedambron.pl/author/Curvelunch00) medications throughout pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant drugs are absorbed through breast milk in low quantities, so the risk for infant who is breastfeeding is low. The amount of exposure to medications will differ based on dosage and frequency of administration as well as the time of the day. In addition, different drugs enter the infant's system via the gastrointestinal tract or breast milk. The impact of these medications on a newborn's health is not completely understood.
Some physicians may discontinue stimulant medication during a woman’s pregnancy due to the lack of research. This is a difficult decision for the patient, who must balance the benefits of continuing her medication against the possible risks to the foetus. As long as there is no more information, doctors should inquire with all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and whether they are taking or planning to take medication during the perinatal period.
Many studies have shown that women can continue taking their ADHD medication in a safe manner during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. In response, a rising number of patients are opting to do this. They have concluded, in consultation with their physicians that the benefits of continuing their current medication outweigh possible risks.
Women with ADHD who plan to breastfeed should seek the advice of an expert psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation should also be offered to help women with ADHD understand their symptoms and the underlying disorder and learn about treatment options and reinforce existing strategies for coping. This should involve an approach that is multidisciplinary, including the GP doctors, obstetricians and psychiatrists. Pregnancy counseling should include a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother as well as the child, and monitoring for indicators of deterioration, and, if necessary modifications to the medication regime.
