New And Innovative Concepts That Are Happening With ADHD Medication Pregnancy
New And Innovative Concepts That Are Happening With ADHD Medication Pregnancy
Blog Article
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women suffering from ADHD must make a difficult decision on whether to keep or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There are few data on how exposure to ADHD for a long time could affect a foetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus do not develop neurological developmental disorders like hearing or vision impairment seizures, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality research.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and take ADHD medication must evaluate the benefits of using it against the possible risks to the foetus. Doctors don't have enough data to give clear advice but they can provide information about risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication during early pregnancy did not have a higher 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 born to mothers who used stimulants during pregnancy. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts reviewed the cases in order to ensure that the classification was correct and to reduce any bias.
The study conducted by the researchers was not without limitations. The researchers were not able in the beginning to distinguish the effects of the medication from the disorder. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to determine whether the small differences observed between the exposed groups were due to the use of medications or affected by co-morbidities. Researchers also did not look at long-term outcomes for offspring.
The study revealed that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU), compared to those whose mothers did not take any medication during pregnancy or discontinued taking their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not influenced by the stimulant medications used during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher likelihood of having a caesarean section or a baby that scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases did not seem to be influenced by the kind of medication used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the minor risks posed by the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancies could be offset by the greater benefits to both baby and mother of continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should talk to their patients about this issue and as much as possible, assist them develop coping strategies that may reduce the effects of her disorder on her daily functioning and her relationships.
Interactions with Medication
Doctors are increasingly confronted with the dilemma of whether to continue treatment or stop during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. These decisions are frequently made without clear and reliable evidence. Instead, doctors must take into account their own experience in conjunction with the experiences of other doctors, and the research on the subject.
Particularly, the subject of potential risks for the baby can be a challenge. Many studies on this issue are based on observations rather than controlled research, and their conclusions are often contradictory. Furthermore, most studies restrict their analysis to live births, which could undervalue the serious teratogenic effects that can lead to abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these shortcomings by analyzing the data from deceased and live births.
The conclusion The conclusion: While some studies have found a positive association between ADHD medications and the risk of certain birth defects, other studies have found no such relationship, and most studies show a neutral or even slight negative effect. As a result, a careful risk/benefit analysis is required in every case.
For women suffering from ADHD, the decision to discontinue medication is difficult if not impossible. In a recent article in Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can cause depression and feelings of loneliness. Furthermore, a loss of medication can affect the ability to complete work-related tasks and safely drive which are essential aspects of a normal life for many people with ADHD.
She suggests that women who are not sure whether to continue taking the medication or stop due to pregnancy, educate their family members, coworkers, and friends about the condition, its impact on daily functioning and the benefits of continuing the current treatment. In addition, here educating them can make the woman feel more comfortable in her struggle with her decision. It is important to note that some medications can be absorbed through the placenta so if the patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that traces of the drug can be transferred to the child.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use and use of ADHD medications to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), increases the concern over the potential adverse effects of the drugs on foetuses. A study that was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the existing information on this topic. Researchers used two massive datasets to analyze more than 4.3 million pregnancy and determine if stimulant medication use increased birth defects. Researchers discovered that although the risk overall is low, the first trimester ADHD medication exposure was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects such as ventriculoseptal defect.
The researchers behind the study found no link between early medication use and congenital abnormalities like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are in line with previous studies that showed a small, but significant increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medication prior to the time of the birth of their child. This risk increased during the latter part of pregnancy, when a lot of women decided to stop taking their medication.
Women who were taking ADHD medication during the first trimester were more likely to need a caesarean and also have an insufficient Apgar after delivery, and have a baby that needed help breathing at birth. However the researchers of the study were not able to eliminate selection bias by restricting the study to women who didn't have any other medical issues that could have contributed to the findings.
Researchers hope their research will inform physicians when they meet pregnant women. The researchers recommend that while discussing the risks and benefits are important, the decision on whether to continue or stop medication should be made based on the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her needs.
The authors warn that, even though stopping the medication is a possibility to think about, it isn't recommended because of the high incidence of depression and other mental disorders for women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Additionally, the research suggests that women who decide to stop taking their medications are more likely to have difficulties adapting to life without them after the birth of their baby.
Nursing
It can be a challenge to become a mom. Women with ADHD who have to manage their symptoms while attending physician appointments and making preparations for the arrival of a baby and getting used to new routines at home can experience severe challenges. Many women opt to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The risk for breastfeeding infant is minimal because the majority of stimulant medications passes through breast milk at a low level. However, the amount of medication exposure to the infant can differ based on the dosage, frequency it is administered and the time of day it is administered. In addition, different drugs enter the infant's system via the gastrointestinal tract or through breast milk. The impact on the health of a newborn is not completely understood.
Because of the lack of research, some physicians may be inclined to discontinue stimulant drugs during the course of pregnancy. This is a difficult decision for the mother, who must weigh the advantages of taking her medication as well as the risk to the embryo. Until more information becomes available, doctors may ask pregnant patients if they have any history of ADHD or if they plan to take medication in the perinatal period.
A increasing number of studies have shown that most women can safely continue their ADHD medication during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. In response, a growing number of patients are choosing to do this. They have concluded, in consultation with their physicians, that the benefits of continuing their current medication outweigh any possible risks.
Women who suffer from ADHD who plan to breastfeed should seek the advice of an expert psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should review their medications with their physician and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological management 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 approach including obstetricians, GPs and psychiatrists. Counselling for pregnancy should include the discussion of a treatment plan for both the mother as well as the child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration, and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.