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 aren't many studies regarding how exposure over time may affect the foetus.

A recent study 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 that further high-quality research is needed.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication should evaluate the benefits of using it against the possible risks for the foetus. The doctors don't have the information to make unambiguous recommendations however they can provide information on the risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making an informed decision.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who took ADHD medication during their early pregnancy did not have a greater risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a large sample-based case control study to assess the frequency of major structural defects in infants who were born to mothers who took stimulants during pregnancy. Clinical geneticists and pediatric cardiologists looked over the cases to ensure accurate classification of the cases and to reduce the chance of bias.

However, the study was not without its flaws. Researchers were unable in the beginning where to get prescribed adhd medication distinguish the effects caused by the medication from the disorder. This makes it difficult to determine whether the small associations observed in the groups that were exposed result from medication use or confounding by comorbidities. Additionally the study did not look at the long-term effects of offspring on their parents.

The study did reveal that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medications during pregnancy were at slightly higher risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who were born without any medication or cut back on their medications prior to or during pregnancy. This increase was caused by central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medication that was used during pregnancy.

Women who used stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an elevated chance of having a caesarean birth or having a baby with a low Apgar score (less than 7). These risks did not appear to be affected by the kind of medication used during pregnancy.

Researchers suggest that the minor risks posed by the use of ADHD medications in early pregnancies may be offset by the more beneficial outcomes for both mother and baby from continuing treatment for the woman's condition. Physicians should talk to their patients about this and as much as possible, assist them develop coping strategies that could reduce the effects of her disorder on her daily functioning and her relationships.

Interactions with Medication

As more women than ever are diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the dilemma of whether to continue or end treatment during pregnancy is a question that more and more physicians confront. These decisions are often made without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, physicians must weigh their own knowledge in conjunction with the experiences of other doctors and the research on the topic.

In particular, the issue of potential risks for the baby can be a challenge. The research on this subject is based on observation rather than controlled studies and the results are in conflict. Most studies restrict their analysis to live-births, which could underestimate the teratogenic impact which can cause abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these limitations, by examining both information on deceased and live births.

Conclusion A few studies have revealed an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not established a link. The majority of studies show a neutral, or even slight negative impact. In each case an in-depth evaluation of the potential risks and benefits should be conducted.

For women suffering from ADHD and ADD, the decision to stop taking medication is difficult, if not impossible. In an article published in Archives of Women's Mental Health psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can cause depression, feelings of loneliness, and family conflict for those suffering from the disorder. The loss of medication can affect the ability to safely drive and perform work-related tasks, which are crucial aspects of daily life for those suffering from ADHD.

She recommends women who are unsure about whether or not to stop taking medication because of their pregnancy, consider educating family members, friends and colleagues about the condition, its impact on daily functioning, and on the benefits of keeping the current treatment plan. Educating them can also make the woman feel more comfortable as she struggles with her decision. It is important to note that certain drugs can pass through the placenta, so if a woman decides to discontinue her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware of the possibility that traces of the drug could be passed on to the baby.

Risk of Birth Defects

As the use of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases as do concerns over the impact that these drugs could have on fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge on this subject. Researchers used two massive datasets to analyze over 4.3 million pregnancies and determine whether stimulant medications caused birth defects. While the overall risk is low, the researchers found that exposure in the first trimester to ADHD medications was linked to an increased risk of specific heart defects, like ventriculo-septal defects (VSD).

The researchers of the study could not find any association between early use of medication and other congenital anomalies like facial deformities, or club feet. The findings are in line with previous studies that have shown an increase, but not significant, in the risk of developing cardiac malformations in women who started taking adhd medication for women medications prior to the time of the birth of their child. This risk increased during the latter part of pregnancy when many women decided to stop taking their medication.

Women who used ADHD medication in the first trimester of pregnancy were also more likely to undergo caesarean sections, a low Apgar score after delivery and a baby who needed help breathing at birth. The authors of the study were not able to eliminate selection bias because they limited the study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.

The researchers hope that their research will serve to inform the clinical decisions of doctors who see pregnant women. The researchers recommend that while discussing the risks and benefits are important, the choice about whether to continue or stop taking 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 isn't a recommended practice because of the high prevalence of depression and other mental health issues for women who are expecting or post-partum. Additionally, the research suggests that women who decide to stop their medications are more likely to have a difficult time adapting to life without them following the birth of their baby.

Nursing

The responsibilities that come with being a new mother Can A general physician prescribe adhd Medication be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD who have to manage their symptoms while attending physician appointments and making preparations for the arrival of a child and adjusting to new household routines can experience severe challenges. Many women opt to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.

The majority of stimulant medicines are absorbed through breast milk in low amounts, so the risk to nursing infant is very low. However, the frequency of exposure to medication by the newborn can vary depending on dosage, how often it is administered and the time of the day the medication is administered. In addition, individual medications enter the baby's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk and the impact of this on a newborn is not fully known.

Because of the lack of research, some doctors may be inclined to discontinue stimulant drugs during the course of pregnancy. This is a difficult decision for the patient, who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication against the possible dangers to the foetus. Until more information becomes available, GPs can ask pregnant patients if they have a background of ADHD or if they plan to take medication in the perinatal stage.

Numerous studies have proven that women can continue taking their ADHD medication safely while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. In the end, more and more patients choose to do so and after consulting with their doctor, they have discovered that the benefits of maintaining their current medication outweigh any risks.

It's important for women with ADHD who are contemplating breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's advice prior becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their physician and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non medication treatment for adhd adults-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also necessary to help pregnant women with ADHD recognize the signs and underlying disorder. They should also be educated about treatment options and strengthen the coping mechanisms. This should involve an approach that is multidisciplinary, including the GP, obstetricians and psychiatry. Pregnancy counseling should include discussion of a treatment plan for the mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration and, if necessary modifications to the medication regimen.