ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The decision to stop or keep ADHD medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding is challenging for women with the condition. Little data exists about how long-term exposure to these medications can affect the fetus.

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to different adhd medications medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological disorders such as impaired hearing or vision, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality studies are required.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication should evaluate the benefits of using it against the potential risks for the baby. Doctors don't have enough data to make unambiguous recommendations, but can provide information on risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making informed decisions.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who took ADHD medication during early pregnancy did not have a higher risk of fetal malformations or structural birth defects. Researchers used a large population-based case control study to examine the prevalence 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 examined the cases to ensure that the classification was correct and to minimize any bias.

The study of the researchers had some limitations. Researchers were unable, in the first place to distinguish the effects caused by the medication from the disorder. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine whether the few associations observed between the groups exposed were due to the use of medications, or if they were caused by co-morbidities. The researchers did not look at long-term outcomes for the offspring.

The study revealed that infants whose mother had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU), compared to mothers who did not take any medication for adhd and Depression - private-Mental-healthcare55915.answerblogs.com, during pregnancy or quit taking the medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.

Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an increased chance of having a caesarean birth or having a baby born with an 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 risks posed by the use of ADHD medications in early pregnancies could be offset by the greater benefits to both mother and baby of continuing treatment for the woman’s disorder. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this and try to help them develop coping skills that could reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily functioning and her relationships.

Interactions with Medication

Doctors are increasingly confronted with the dilemma of whether to keep treatment or stop during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. The majority of these decisions are made without clear and authoritative evidence either way, so physicians must weigh what they know from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what research suggests about the subject as well as their best judgment for each patient.

The issue of risk for infants can be extremely difficult. The research on this subject is based on observations rather than controlled studies, and many of the findings are in conflict. Most studies restrict their analysis to live-births, which could underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects leading to terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study discussed in the journal club addresses these issues, by examining both data on live and deceased births.

The conclusion: While some studies have found a positive association between adhd inattentive type medication medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, others have found no such relationship and the majority of studies have a neutral or slightly negative impact. Therefore, a careful risk/benefit analysis is required in every situation.

For many women with ADHD, the decision to discontinue medication is difficult, if not impossible. In a recent article published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can increase depression and feelings of being isolated. Additionally, the loss of medication can affect the ability to perform work-related tasks and safely drive, which are important aspects of daily life for many people suffering from ADHD.

She recommends women who are unsure about whether to keep or stop taking medication because of their pregnancy consider informing family members, friends and colleagues about the condition, its impact on daily functioning, and the advantages of continuing the current treatment plan. It will also help a woman feel supported in her decision. Certain medications can be passed through the placenta. If a woman decides to stop taking her ADHD medication while breastfeeding, it is crucial to be aware that the drug could be passed on to her infant.

Birth Defects Risk

As the use and use of ADHD medication to treat 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 of knowledge on this subject. Utilizing two huge data sets, researchers were able to look at more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine whether stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that although the overall risk is low, first-trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher rates of certain heart defects, like ventriculoseptal defect.

The researchers of the study did not find any association between early use of medication and other congenital anomalies, like facial deformities or club feet. The results are in the same vein as previous studies that showed a small, but significant increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who started taking ADHD medication prior to the birth of their child. This risk increased during the latter stages of pregnancy when a large number of women began to stop taking their medication.

Women who used ADHD medication in the first trimester of their pregnancies were also more likely to have caesarean section, low Apgar score following delivery, and a baby that required breathing assistance during birth. The researchers of the study were unable to eliminate bias due to selection because they limited the study to women without other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.

The researchers hope their study will help inform the clinical decisions of doctors who encounter pregnant women. The researchers recommend that, while discussing the risks and benefits are important, the decision regarding whether or not to stop medication should be according to the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her needs.

The authors also caution that even though stopping the medication is an option, it is not an option to consider due to the high rate of depression and other mental health problems in women who are pregnant or who are recently post-partum. Research has also shown that women who stop taking their medications will have a harder adjustment to life without them once the baby is born.

Nursing

The responsibilities of being a new mom can be overwhelming. Women with adhd medication uk who have to deal with their symptoms while attending physician appointments, getting ready for the arrival of a baby and adapting to new routines in the home are often faced with a number of difficulties. This is why many women decide to continue taking their managing adhd without medication medications throughout the course of pregnancy.

The majority of stimulant medications are absorbed by breast milk in small quantities, so the risk to the nursing infant is very low. The rate of exposure to medication can vary depending upon the dosage and frequency of administration as well as the time of day. Additionally, individual medications enter the body of the baby differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk. The impact of this on a newborn infant is not well understood.

Because of the lack of research, some physicians may be inclined to discontinue stimulant drugs during the pregnancy of a woman. This is a difficult decision for the mother, who must weigh the advantages of continuing her medication against the risk to the embryo. Until more information is available, GPs should ask all pregnant patients about their experience with ADHD and if they plan or are taking to take medication during the perinatal period.

Many studies have shown that women can continue taking their ADHD medication in a safe manner while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. In response, a rising number of patients are choosing to continue their medication. They have found after consulting with their doctors, that the benefits of continuing their current medication outweigh potential risks.

It is essential for women with ADHD who are considering breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's advice prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber and discuss the pros and cons of continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation is also necessary to help pregnant women with ADHD be aware of the symptoms and the underlying disorder. They should also be educated about treatment options and build the coping mechanisms. This should be a multidisciplinary approach with the GPs, obstetricians, and psychiatry. Pregnancy counselling should include the discussion of a treatment plan for both the mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.