20 Trailblazers Setting The Standard In ADHD Medication Pregnancy
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The decision to stop or keep ADHD medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding is a challenge for women suffering from the condition. There aren't many studies regarding how exposure over time may affect a pregnant fetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological problems such as impaired hearing or vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for higher-quality research.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Pregnant women who use ADHD medications need to balance the benefits of using them against the risks to the foetus. Physicians don't have the necessary data to give clear guidelines, but they can provide information about the risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who took ADHD medication in early pregnancy were not at greater risk of fetal malformations or structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a large population-based study of case-control to evaluate the incidence of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who had taken stimulants in the early stages of pregnancy, and those who did not. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts reviewed the cases in order to make sure that the classification was accurate and to reduce any bias.
The study conducted by the researchers was not without its limitations. The researchers were not able in the beginning to differentiate the effects caused by the medication from the disorder. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine whether the small differences observed between the groups that were exposed to medication use, or if they were confounded by co-morbidities. The researchers did not study long-term outcomes for offspring.
The study did show that infants whose mothers had taken buy adhd medication online uk medication during pregnancy were at a more risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those whose mothers had not taken any medication or had stopped their medications before or during pregnancy. This increase was caused by central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medications used during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher risk of having to have a caesarean section or the baby was not scoring well on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases didn't appear to be affected by the kind of medication used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the small risks posed by the use of ADHD medication during pregnancies in the early stages may be offset by the greater benefits for mother and baby of continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should talk to their patients about this issue and as much as possible, assist them develop coping skills that could reduce the effects of her disorder on her daily functioning and her relationships.
Medication Interactions
Doctors are increasingly faced with the decision of whether to continue treatment or stop it during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. These decisions are frequently made without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, doctors must consider their own expertise and experience, as well as the experiences of other doctors, and the research that has been conducted on the subject.
Particularly, the issue of potential risks to the baby can be tricky. Many of the studies on this issue are based on observational evidence instead of controlled research and their findings are often contradictory. Most studies focus on live-births, which could underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that can lead to terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study presented in this journal club addresses these limitations by analyzing data on live and deceased births.
Conclusion Some studies have revealed a positive correlation between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not found a correlation. Most studies show an unintended, or slightly negative, effect. Therefore, a careful risk/benefit analysis is required in every instance.
It isn't easy, but not impossible, for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In a recent article published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping private adhd assessment medway medications during pregnancy can a general physician prescribe adhd medication (link webpage) increase depression and feelings of isolation. A loss of medication may also affect the ability to safely drive and to perform work-related tasks which are essential aspects of daily life for those with ADHD.
She suggests that women who aren't sure whether to continue taking the medication or discontinue it due to pregnancy educate family members, coworkers, and acquaintances about the condition, the effects on daily functioning, and the advantages of staying on the current treatment. Educating them can also make the woman feel more comfortable when she is struggling with her decision. It is also worth noting that some medications can pass through the placenta, so if the patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware of the possibility that traces of the medication could be transferred to the child.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use of ADHD medications to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows as do concerns over the impact that these drugs could have on the fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body knowledge on this topic. Researchers used two massive data sets to examine more than 4.3 million pregnancy and determine if stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. While the overall risk remains low, the researchers found that exposure in the first trimester to ADHD medications was linked to an increased risk of certain heart defects, such as ventriculo-septal defect (VSD).
The authors of the study did not discover any link between early medication usage and other congenital anomalies like facial deformities, or club feet. The results are in line with previous studies that have shown an insignificant, but small increase in cardiac malformations for women who started taking ADHD medication before the birth of their child. The risk increased in the latter stages of pregnancy when a large number of women began to stop taking their medication.
Women who took ADHD medications in the first trimester of their pregnancy were also more likely to undergo a caesarean section, a low Apgar score after delivery and a baby who required breathing assistance during birth. The researchers of the study were not able to remove bias in selection since they restricted the study to women without other medical conditions that might have contributed to the 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 important, the decision about whether to continue or stop medication should be based on 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 alternative, it is not an option that is recommended due to the high rate of depression and other mental health issues in women who are pregnant or recently post-partum. Research has also shown that women who stop taking their medications will have a tough time adjusting to a life without them once the baby is born.
Nursing
It can be a challenge becoming a mother. Women with ADHD can face severe challenges when they have to manage their symptoms, go to doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of their child and adjust to new routines. This is why many women elect to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant drugs are absorbed by breast milk in low amounts, so the risk to the nursing infant is very low. However, the frequency of medication exposure to the newborn may differ based on the dosage, frequency it is administered, and the time of the day the medication is administered. In addition, individual medications enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk. The impact of this on a newborn isn't well known.
Some physicians may discontinue stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy due to the lack of research. This is a difficult decision for the patient, who must weigh the benefit of continuing her medication against the possible dangers to the fetus. As long as more information is available, doctors may ask pregnant patients if they have an background 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 guanfacine medication safely while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. In response, a growing number of patients are choosing to do so. They have found, in consultation with their physicians, that the benefits of keeping their current medication far outweigh any possible risks.
Women who suffer from ADHD who are planning to breastfeed should seek the advice of an expert psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor and discuss the pros and cons of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD understand the symptoms and underlying disorder. They should also be educated about treatment options and strengthen coping mechanisms. This should be a multidisciplinary effort together with obstetricians, GPs, and psychiatrists. The pregnancy counselling should consist of discussion of a management plan for both mother and child, monitoring for signs of deterioration, and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.