25 Unexpected Facts About ADHD Medication Pregnancy

ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The decision to stop or continue ADHD medication during pregnancy and nursing is a difficult decision for women suffering from the condition. There aren't enough data regarding how exposure over time may affect a pregnant fetus.

A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological issues such as impaired hearing or vision, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that further high-quality studies are required.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Pregnant women who take ADHD medications need to balance the benefits of using them against the risks to the foetus. Physicians don't have the necessary data to give clear guidelines however they can provide information regarding risks and benefits that 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 a significantly increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major birth defects that are structural. The researchers used a large population-based study of case-control to determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who took stimulants during early pregnancy, as well as those who had not. Pediatric cardiologists, clinical geneticists and other experts reviewed the cases in order to make sure that the classification was correct and to reduce any 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 disorder at hand. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to determine if the small associations observed among the groups exposed were due to the use of medication or caused by co-morbidities. In addition the study did not examine long-term offspring outcomes.

The study did reveal that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a more risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who were born without any medication or stopped their medications before or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medication that was used during pregnancy.

Women who used stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy also had an elevated risk of having a caesarean birth or having a baby born with low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases appeared to be unrelated to the type of medication used during pregnancy.

Researchers suggest that the minor risk of using ADHD medication during pregnancies in the early stages can be offset by greater benefits for mother and baby from continuing treatment for the woman's condition. Physicians should discuss the issue with their patients and, when they are able, assist them in developing strategies to improve coping skills that may minimize the negative impact of her condition on her daily functioning and relationships.

Medication Interactions

Doctors are increasingly confronted with the dilemma of whether to keep treatment or stop it during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. These decisions are frequently made without clear and reliable evidence. Instead, physicians must consider their own expertise, the experience of other doctors, and the research that has been conducted on the subject.

In particular, the issue of possible risks to the baby can be tricky. The research on this issue is based on observation rather than controlled studies and many of the findings are contradictory. Furthermore, most studies restrict their analysis to live births, which may underestimate severe teratogenic effects that lead to abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these shortcomings, by examining both data on live and deceased births.

medication for adhd : While some studies have shown an association between ADHD medications and the risk of certain birth defects, others have found no such relationship, and most studies have a neutral or slight negative effect. As a result, a careful risk/benefit analysis is required in every case.

For  add adhd medication  of women with ADHD, the decision to discontinue medication can be difficult, if not impossible. In fact, in an article recently published 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. In addition, a decrease in medication can interfere with the ability to do job-related tasks and drive safely which are essential aspects of a normal life for many people with ADHD.

She recommends women who are unsure about whether or not to stop medication in light of their pregnancy, consider educating family members, friends and colleagues on the condition, its impact on daily functioning, and on the benefits of keeping the current treatment regimen. It can also aid in ensuring that the woman feels supported when she is struggling with her decision. It is important to note that some medications are able to be absorbed through the placenta so if the patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that the effects of the drug could be transferred to the infant.

Birth Defects Risk

As the use and misuse of ADHD medications to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases as does the concern about the potential effects of these drugs on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body knowledge on this subject. With two massive data sets researchers were able to examine more than 4.3 million pregnancies and see whether stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers found that while the risk overall is low, the first trimester ADHD medication exposure was associated with slightly higher rates of certain heart defects, such as ventriculoseptal defect.

The researchers of the study could not find any association between early use of medication and congenital anomalies such as facial deformities or club feet. The results are consistent with previous studies revealing the presence of a small, but significant increase in the risk of developing cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medications prior to the time of the time of pregnancy. This risk increased during the latter stages of pregnancy, when a lot of women stopped taking their medication.

Women who were taking ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely to need a caesarean or have an insufficient Apgar after delivery and have a baby who needed help breathing after birth. However, the authors of the study were not able 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 the findings.

The researchers hope their study will serve to inform the clinical decisions of physicians who encounter pregnant women. The researchers suggest that, while discussing the risks and benefits are important, the choice about whether to continue or stop taking medication should be based on the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and the needs of the woman.

The authors caution that, although stopping the medication is a possibility to look into, it is not recommended because of the high incidence of depression and other mental problems in women who are expecting or have recently given birth. Additionally, research suggests that women who stop taking their medications will have a harder adjustment to life without them once the baby is born.

Nursing

The responsibilities that come with being a new mom can be overwhelming. Women suffering from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they must deal with their symptoms, attend doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of a child and adjust to a new routine. This is why many women elect to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout pregnancy.

The majority of stimulant medications are absorbed through breast milk in very small amounts, therefore the risk for breastfeeding infant is minimal. However, the amount of medication exposure to the newborn may differ based on dosage, frequency it is taken and at what time it is administered. Additionally, individual medications enter the body of the baby differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk and the impact of this on a newborn is not well understood.

Because of the lack of research, some physicians may recommend stopping stimulant drugs during the course of pregnancy. It is a difficult decision for the woman who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication against the risks to the foetus. Until more information becomes available, doctors can ask pregnant patients whether they have any history of ADHD or if they intend to take medication during the perinatal stage.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that women can continue to take their ADHD medication safely during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. In response, an increasing number of patients are choosing to continue their medication. They have discovered after consulting with their physicians that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh any potential risks.

Women with ADHD who are planning to breastfeed should seek the advice of a specialist psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their physician and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological management strategies. Psychoeducation is also necessary to help pregnant women with ADHD be aware of the symptoms and underlying disorder. They should also be informed about treatment options and build strategies for coping. This should include a multidisciplinary approach, which includes the GP, obstetricians and psychiatry. Pregnancy counselling should include the discussion of a treatment plan for both the mother as well as the child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration, and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.