20 Myths About ADHD Medication Pregnancy: Busted

20 Myths About ADHD Medication Pregnancy: Busted

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ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women suffering from ADHD must make a difficult decision about whether to continue or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There are few data regarding how exposure over time may affect the foetus.

A study recently 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

Women who are pregnant and taking ADHD medication need to weigh the benefits of taking it against the potential risks for the fetus. Physicians don't have the information needed to provide clear recommendations however they can provide information on the risks and benefits to assist pregnant women in making informed decisions.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication in early pregnancy were not at a greater risk of fetal malformations or structural birth defects. Researchers used a large population-based study of case control to compare the incidence of structural defects that were major in infants who were born to mothers who used stimulants during pregnancy. Pediatric cardiologists, clinical geneticists and other experts looked over the cases to ensure that the classification was accurate and to eliminate any bias.

The research conducted by the researchers was not without its limitations. Researchers were unable in the beginning, to separate the effects triggered by the medication from the disorder. This makes it difficult to know whether the small differences observed in the groups that were exposed result from medication use or comorbidities that cause confusion. The researchers did not look at the long-term effects for the offspring.

The study did show that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medications during pregnancy were at a higher risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who were born without any medication or cut back on their medications prior to or during pregnancy. This increase was caused by central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.

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

Researchers suggest that the small risks associated with the use ADHD medications during early pregnancies can be offset by more beneficial outcomes for both baby and mother of continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should speak with their patients about this issue and try to help them improve coping skills which could reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily functioning and her relationships.

Medication Interactions

As more women than ever are diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the issue of whether to keep or end treatment during pregnancy is one that doctors are having to have to face. The majority of these decisions are made in the absence of solid and reliable evidence in either case, which means that doctors must weigh what they know, the experiences of other doctors, and what research suggests about the subject, along with their best judgment for each patient.

In particular, the issue of potential risks for the baby can be tricky. A lot of studies on this topic are based on observational data instead of controlled research and their findings are often contradictory. The majority of studies focus on live births, which may underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects leading to abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these issues by analyzing both information on deceased and live births.

The conclusion: While certain studies have demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between ADHD medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, other studies have not found any evidence of a link and the majority of studies show a neutral or even slightly negative effect. Therefore, a careful risk/benefit assessment must be conducted in every case.

It can be challenging, if not impossible for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In fact, in an article recently published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can increase depression, feelings of loneliness and family conflict for those suffering from the disorder. The loss of medication can also affect the ability to drive safely and to perform work-related tasks which are essential aspects of daily life for those with ADHD.

She recommends that 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 effects on daily life, and the advantages of continuing the current treatment regimen. Educating them can also aid in ensuring that the woman feels supported as she struggles with her decision. Certain medications can be passed through the placenta. If the patient decides to stop taking her ADHD medication while breastfeeding, it's important to be aware that the medication may be transferred to her infant.

Risk of Birth Defects

As the use and use of ADHD medication to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing as does the concern about the potential adverse effects of the drugs on the buy adhd medication online fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge on this issue. Using two massive data sets researchers were able to look at more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine whether the use of stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the risk overall is low, the first trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher rates of certain heart defects, such as ventriculoseptal defect.

The authors of the study didn't discover any connection between early medication usage and other congenital anomalies like facial deformities or club feet. The results are in agreement with previous studies that showed the existence of a slight, but significant increase in cardiac malformations for women who started taking ADHD medication prior to the birth of their child. The risk increased in the latter part of pregnancy when a large number of women stopped taking their medication.

Women who took ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely to need a caesarean and also have an insufficient Apgar after delivery and have a baby who needed help breathing after birth. However the researchers of the study were unable 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 help doctors when they meet pregnant women. They suggest that although a discussion of risks and benefits is important however, the decision to stop or keep treatment should be based on the woman's requirements and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.

The authors warn that, even though stopping the medication is a possibility to consider, it is not recommended due to the high prevalence of depression and other mental problems in women who are expecting or recently gave birth. Further, the research suggests that women who choose to stop their medications are more likely to experience difficulties getting used to life without them following the birth of their baby.

Nursing

It can be a challenge to become a mom. Women suffering from ADHD can face severe challenges when they must deal with their symptoms, attend doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a baby and adjust to new routines. As such, many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medication throughout the pregnancy.

The majority of stimulant drugs pass through breast milk in small amounts, so the risk for breastfeeding infant is minimal. However, the frequency of medication exposure to the infant can differ based on dosage, how often it is administered, and the time of the day it is administered. In addition, individual medications enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk and the impact of this on a newborn isn't well known.

Because of the lack of research, some physicians may recommend stopping stimulant medication during a woman's pregnancy. This is a difficult decision for the patient, who must balance the benefits of continuing her medication against the potential risks to the fetus. As long as more information is available, doctors can ask pregnant patients if they have an history of ADHD or if they intend to take medication in the perinatal phase.

A increasing number of studies have revealed that women can continue to take their ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In the end, many patients opt to do this and, in consultation with their physician, they have discovered that the benefits of continuing their current medication outweigh any potential risks.

Women who suffer from ADHD who plan to breastfeed should seek advice from a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor, and the pros and cons of continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also necessary to help pregnant women with ADHD understand the symptoms and the underlying disorder. They should also be educated about treatment options and build strategies for coping. This should be a multidisciplinary effort with the GPs, obstetricians, and psychiatrists. Pregnancy counseling should include a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother as well as the child, monitoring of signs of deterioration and, if needed, adjustments to the medication regime.