It's The Complete Cheat Sheet For ADHD Medication Pregnancy

It's The Complete Cheat Sheet For ADHD Medication Pregnancy

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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 breastfeeding. There are few data on how exposure to ADHD for a long time could affect a fetus.

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus don't develop neurological conditions like hearing loss or impaired vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality studies are needed.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are pregnant and take ADHD medication must evaluate the benefits of using it against the potential risks for the baby. Physicians don't have the necessary data to give clear guidelines but they can provide information about risks and benefits that help pregnant women make informed decisions.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who took ADHD medication in 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 determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who had taken stimulants in the early stages of pregnancy, as well as those who had not. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts looked over the cases to confirm that the classification was accurate and to reduce any bias.

The study of the researchers was not without its limitations. The researchers were not able in the beginning to distinguish the effects caused by the medication from the disorder. That limitation makes it difficult to know whether the small differences observed in the exposed groups are due to the use of medication or comorbidities that cause confusion. In addition, the researchers did not examine the long-term effects of offspring on their parents.

The study found that infants whose mother took ADHD medication during pregnancy had a higher chance of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU) in comparison to those whose mothers did not use any medication during pregnancy or had quit taking the medication prior to or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system disorders, and the increased risk for admission was not found to be influenced by which stimulant medications were taken during pregnancy.

Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher chance of having to have a caesarean section or the baby was not scoring well on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases did not seem to be influenced by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.

Researchers suggest that the minor risks associated with the use ADHD medications in early pregnancies could be offset by the more beneficial outcomes for both mother and baby from continuing treatment for the woman's condition. Physicians should discuss this with their patients and, when possible, help them develop strategies to improve their coping abilities that may minimize the negative impact of her condition on her daily functioning and relationships.

Interactions with Medication

Doctors are increasingly confronted with the dilemma of whether to keep treatment or stop as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. These decisions are frequently taken without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, physicians must weigh their own knowledge in conjunction with the experiences of other doctors and the research that has been conducted on the subject.

In particular, the issue of potential risks for the infant can be difficult. The research on this issue is based on observations instead of controlled studies and many of the findings are in conflict. Additionally, the majority of studies limit their analysis to live births, which can underestimate severe teratogenic effects that lead to abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these issues by analyzing both data on live and deceased births.

The conclusion The conclusion: While some studies have shown an association between ADHD medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, others have found no connection and the majority of studies show a neutral or even slightly negative effect. In every case it is imperative to conduct a thorough evaluation of the benefits and risks must be performed.

For many women with ADHD, the decision to stop 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 lead to increased depression, feelings of loneliness and family conflict for patients with ADHD. In addition, a decrease in medication can affect the ability to do job-related tasks and drive safely that are crucial aspects of a normal life for a lot of people with ADHD.

She recommends that women who are unsure about whether to keep or stop taking medication because of their pregnancy consider educating family members, friends and colleagues on the condition, its effects on daily life, and the advantages of continuing the current treatment regimen. It can also aid in ensuring that the woman feels supported when she is struggling with her decision. It is also worth noting that certain medications can pass through the placenta, so if a woman decides to stop taking her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that the effects of the drug can be passed on to the baby.

Birth Defects and Risk of

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 fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge regarding this issue. Using two here massive data sets, researchers were able to look at more than 4.3 million pregnancies and see whether stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the risk overall is low, first-trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher rates of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defects.

The researchers of the study found no link between early use of medication and other congenital abnormalities, like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are in the same vein as previous studies that have shown the existence of a slight, but significant increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medication prior to the time of pregnancy. The risk increased in the latter stages of pregnancy when many women stopped taking their medication.

Women who took ADHD medications in the first trimester of their pregnancies were also more likely to have a caesarean section, a low Apgar score after delivery and a baby that required help breathing at birth. However the researchers of the study were not able to eliminate selection bias by limiting the study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.

Researchers hope their research will inform physicians when they encounter pregnant women. They suggest that although the discussion of risks and benefits is important however, the decision to stop or keep medication must be based on each woman's requirements and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.

The authors warn that, while stopping the medication is a possibility to consider, it is not recommended due to the high rate depression and other mental problems among women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Research has also shown that women who stop taking their medications will have a difficult adjustment to life without them once the baby is born.

Nursing

The responsibilities of being a new mother can be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD who have to manage their symptoms while attending doctor appointments and getting ready for the arrival of a baby and getting used to new routines at home may face a lot of challenges. Many women opt to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.

The majority of stimulant medications are absorbed by breast milk in small quantities, so the risk for nursing infant is very low. However, the frequency of exposure to medication by the infant can differ based on dosage, frequency it is administered and at what time the medication is administered. In addition, individual medications enter the baby's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk. The impact of this on a newborn infant is not fully understood.

Because of the lack of evidence, some doctors may be inclined to discontinue stimulant medication during a woman's pregnancy. This is a difficult decision for the woman, who must weigh the advantages of her medication against the risks to the foetus. Until more information is available, doctors should inquire with all pregnant patients about their experience with ADHD and if they are planning or taking to take medication during the perinatal period.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that women can continue to take their ADHD medication safely during pregnancy and breast-feeding. In response, a rising number of patients are opting to continue their medication. They have found, in consultation with their doctors, that the benefits of continuing their current medication far outweigh any potential risks.

Women with ADHD who are planning to nurse should seek advice from a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber and discuss the pros and cons of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological management strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help women with ADHD understand their symptoms and the root cause, learn about available treatments and to reinforce existing strategies for managing. This should be a multidisciplinary effort together with obstetricians, GPs and psychiatrists. Pregnancy counseling should include discussion of a treatment plan for the mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration, and, if necessary adjustments to the medication regime.