10 Things You Learned In Preschool, That'll Aid You In ADHD Medication Pregnancy
10 Things You Learned In Preschool, That'll Aid You In ADHD Medication Pregnancy
Blog Article
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women suffering from ADHD have to make a difficult choice about whether to continue or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. There isn't much information on how long-term exposure to these drugs can affect the fetus.
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 higher-quality studies.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Pregnant women who use ADHD medications must weigh the benefits of using them against the risks to the fetus. Doctors don't have the information needed to provide clear recommendations, but they can provide information about risks and benefits that assist pregnant women in making informed decisions.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who took ADHD medications in early pregnancy did not have an increased risk of fetal heart malformations or major structural birth defects. Researchers used a large sample-based case control study to examine the prevalence of structural defects that were major in infants born to mothers who took stimulants during pregnancy. Pediatric cardiologists, clinical geneticists and other experts reviewed the cases in order to ensure that the classification was correct and to minimize any bias.
The study of the researchers was not without limitations. The researchers were unable, in the first place to distinguish the effects of the medication from the disorder. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to establish whether the small associations observed among the exposed groups were due to the use of medication or confounded by the presence of comorbidities. Additionally the researchers did not study the long-term outcomes of offspring.
The study did reveal that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medications during pregnancy were at a more risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who whose mothers did not take any medication or taken off their 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 affected by the type of stimulant medications were used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an elevated chance of having a caesarean section or having a baby with low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases did not appear to be influenced by the kind of medication used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the small risks associated with the use ADHD medication during pregnancies in the early stages may be offset by the more beneficial outcomes for both mother and baby from continuing treatment for the woman’s disorder. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this issue and, if possible, help them develop coping skills that can lessen the impact of her disorder in her daily functioning and her relationships.
Medication Interactions
Many doctors are faced with the decision of whether to maintain treatment or stop as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. The majority of these decisions are made in the absence of solid and reliable evidence in either case, which means that doctors must weigh their knowledge, the experiences of other doctors, and what the research suggests on the subject, along with their own best judgment for each individual patient.
In particular, the issue of possible risks to the baby can be a challenge. Many studies on this topic are based on observational evidence rather than controlled research and their conclusions are often contradictory. The majority of studies limit their analysis to live births, which may underestimate the teratogenic impact that can lead to terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study discussed in this journal club addresses these issues by looking at data from both live and deceased births.
The conclusion is that while certain studies have demonstrated an association between ADHD medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, others have not found any evidence of a link, and most studies demonstrate a neutral or slight negative effect. In every case, a careful evaluation of the website risks and benefits must be performed.
For women suffering from ADHD who suffer from ADHD, the decision to stop taking medication is difficult, if not impossible. In a recent article in the 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. The loss of medication can also affect the ability to drive safely and perform work-related tasks, which are crucial aspects of daily life for those suffering from ADHD.
She recommends that women who are unsure about whether to keep or discontinue medication due to their pregnancy should consider educating family members, friends and colleagues on the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and on the advantages of continuing the current treatment plan. It will also help a woman feel supported in her decision. It is important to note that some medications are able to pass through the placenta, so if the patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware that the effects of the medication could be transferred to the child.
Risk of Birth Defects
As the use of ADHD medication to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases there are concerns over the impact that these drugs might have on fetuses. A study that was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the existing information on this topic. With two massive data sets, researchers were able to look at more than 4.3 million pregnancies to determine whether the use of stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the overall risk is low, the first trimester ADHD medication exposure was associated with slightly higher rates of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defect.
The researchers of the study didn't discover any link between the use of early medications and other congenital anomalies such as facial deformities or club feet. The results are in line with previous studies that have shown a small, but significant increase in cardiac malformations for women who began taking ADHD medication before pregnancy. The risk increased in the latter part of pregnancy when many women decided to stop taking their medication.
Women who were taking ADHD medication during the first trimester were more likely to require a caesarean birth or have a low Apgar after delivery, and have a baby that needed breathing assistance after birth. However, the authors of the study were unable to eliminate bias due to selection by restricting the study to women who didn't have any other medical issues that could be a contributing factor to these findings.
Researchers hope that their research will provide doctors with information when they meet pregnant women. The researchers recommend that, while discussing risks and benefits are crucial, the decision regarding whether or not to stop taking medication should be based on the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her needs.
The authors also warn that, while stopping the medication is an option, it isn't a recommended practice because of the high incidence of depression and other mental health problems for women who are expecting or who are recently post-partum. Further, research shows 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 mother. Women suffering from ADHD are often faced with a number of difficulties when they must manage their symptoms, attend doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a child and adjust to a new routine. This is why many women elect to continue taking their ADHD medication throughout the pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant medicines pass through breast milk in very small amounts, so the risk to the breastfeeding infant is minimal. However, the rate of exposure to medications by the infant can differ based on dosage, frequency it is administered, and at what time 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 infant is not well understood.
Due to the absence of evidence, some doctors might be tempted to stop taking stimulant medications during the course of pregnancy. It's a difficult choice for the woman who must weigh the advantages of continuing her medication against the potential risks to the foetus. Until more information is available, GPs should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and whether they plan or are taking to take medication during the perinatal period.
A increasing number of studies have proven that the majority of women are able to safely continue to take their ADHD medication during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. In the end, an increasing number of patients opt to do this, and in consultation with their physician, they have found that the benefits of continuing their current medication far outweigh any 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 pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation is also required to help women with ADHD be aware of their symptoms and the underlying disorder and learn about treatment options and reinforce existing strategies for managing. This should be a multidisciplinary effort including obstetricians, GPs and psychiatry. Pregnancy counseling should consist of a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother as well as the child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration, and, if necessary modifications to the medication regime.