ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The decision to stop or keep ADHD medication during breastfeeding and pregnancy is a difficult decision for women suffering from the condition. There aren't many studies on how exposure to ADHD for a long time could affect the foetus.
A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological disorders such as hearing loss or vision, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality research.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication need to weigh the benefits of taking it versus the risks for the baby. The doctors don't have the information to make unambiguous recommendations however they can provide information about risks and benefits to assist pregnant women to make an informed decision.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who took ADHD medications during early pregnancy did not have an increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a large population-based case control study to examine the prevalence of major structural defects in infants born to mothers who took stimulants during pregnancy. Clinical geneticists and pediatric cardiologists examined the cases to ensure an accurate case classification and to minimize the possibility of bias.
The research conducted by the researchers was not without limitations. The most important issue was that they were not able to differentiate the effects of the medication from the disorder that is underlying. This limitation makes it difficult to determine whether the small differences observed in the groups that were exposed are due to medication use or comorbidities that cause confusion. The researchers also did not study long-term outcomes for the offspring.
The study showed that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy had a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU), compared to mothers who did not take any medication during pregnancy or quit taking the medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system-related disorders, and the increased risk for admission did not appear to be influenced by which stimulant medication was used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an elevated chance of having a caesarean birth or having a child with low Apgar score (less than 7). These risks did not appear to be influenced by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the minor risks posed by the use of ADHD medication during pregnancies in the early stages can be offset by greater benefits to both baby and mother of continued treatment for the woman's condition. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this and try to help them develop coping strategies that could reduce the effects of her disorder on her daily functioning and her relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever before are being diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medication, the question of whether to keep or end treatment during pregnancy is one that more and more doctors confront. Often, these decisions are made without any evidence that is clear and definitive in either case, which means that doctors must weigh their knowledge from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what the research says on the topic, along with their own best judgment for each individual patient.
Particularly, the subject of possible risks to the baby can be tricky. The research on this subject is based on observations instead of controlled studies and many of the findings are conflicting. The majority of studies limit their analysis to live births, which can underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects leading to terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study discussed in this journal club addresses these shortcomings by looking at data from both live and deceased births.
The conclusion: While certain studies have demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between ADHD medications and the risk of certain birth defects, other studies have not found any evidence of a link, and most studies demonstrate a neutral or slightly negative effect. Therefore an accurate risk-benefit analysis is required in every instance.
For women suffering from ADHD who suffer from ADHD, the decision to stop taking medication is difficult if not impossible. In an article published in the 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. Additionally, the loss of medication can interfere with the ability to complete jobs and drive safely that are crucial aspects of daily life for many people suffering from ADHD.
She suggests that women who aren't sure whether to continue taking the medication or stop it due to their pregnancy, educate their family members, coworkers and friends about the condition, the impact on daily functioning and the advantages of staying on the current treatment. It can also help a woman feel confident about her decision. Certain medications can be passed through the placenta. If the patient decides to not take her ADHD medication while breastfeeding, it is important to be aware that the medication could be passed on to her infant.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use and use of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the concern over the possible effects of the drugs on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge regarding this subject. Researchers utilized two massive data sets to examine more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine if the use of stimulant medications caused birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the overall risk is low, first-trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher risk of certain heart defects, like ventriculoseptal defect.
The authors of the study didn't find any association between early use of medication and congenital anomalies like facial deformities or club feet. The findings are in line with previous studies revealing the presence of a small, but significant increase in the risk of heart malformations in women who started taking ADHD medications before the birth of their child. The risk increased in the latter part of pregnancy, when a lot of women decided to stop taking their medication.
Women who were taking ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean delivery or have a low Apgar after birth and had a baby that required help breathing when they were born. 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 be a contributing factor to these findings.
The researchers hope their study will aid in the clinical decisions of doctors who see pregnant women. simply click the following webpage advise that while discussing benefits and risks are crucial, the decision regarding whether or not to stop medication should be made according to the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and the needs of the woman.
The authors also caution that, while stopping the medication is an option, it is not a recommended practice because of the high rate of depression and other mental health issues for women who are expecting or who are recently post-partum. Research has also shown that women who stop taking their medication will have a difficult time adjusting to a life without them after the baby is born.
Nursing
The responsibilities that come with being a new mom can be overwhelming. Women with ADHD who must work through their symptoms while attending physician 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 decide to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The risk to a breastfeeding infant is minimal because the majority of stimulant medications is absorbed through breast milk at low levels. However, the amount of exposure to medications by the newborn can vary depending on the dosage, frequency it is administered and the time of the day the medication is administered. In addition, different drugs enter the infant's system through the gastrointestinal tract or through breast milk. The effect on the health of a newborn is not fully known.
Due to the absence of research, some physicians may recommend stopping stimulant medication during the pregnancy of a woman. This is a difficult choice for the patient, who must balance the benefits of keeping her medication against the potential risks to the embryo. As long as more information is available, doctors may ask pregnant patients if they have an history of ADHD or if they plan to take medication in the perinatal period.
Numerous studies have proven that women can continue to take their ADHD medication in a safe manner during pregnancy and breast-feeding. This has led to many patients opt to do this and after consulting with their doctor, they have found that the benefits of continuing their current medication far exceed any risk.
source for this article is essential for women with ADHD who are thinking of breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's advice prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor as well as the pros and cons of continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD recognize their symptoms and the underlying disorder, learn about available treatment options and reinforce existing coping strategies. This should be a multidisciplinary effort with the GPs, obstetricians and psychiatry. Pregnancy counseling should include discussion of a treatment plan for the mother as well as the child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration and, if needed modifications to the medication regimen.