ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women with ADHD face a difficult decision about whether to continue or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There isn't much information on how long-term exposure to these medications could affect the foetus.

A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus don't develop neurological developmental disorders like impaired vision or hearing seizures, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high-quality research is needed.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Pregnant women who take ADHD medications must weigh the advantages of using them against the risks to the fetus. Physicians don't have the data to provide clear recommendations, but can provide information on risks and benefits to assist pregnant women to make informed choices.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who used ADHD medications during their early pregnancy did not have an increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major birth defects that are structural. Researchers conducted a large population-based study of case-control to determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who had taken stimulants in early pregnancy, as well as those who had not. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts reviewed the cases in order to make sure that the classification was correct and to eliminate any bias.

The study of the researchers was not without limitations. The researchers were not able in the beginning to differentiate the effects of the medication from the disorder. That limitation makes it difficult to know whether the limited associations observed in the groups that were exposed are due to the use of medication or the confounding effect of comorbidities. Additionally, the researchers did not study the long-term outcomes of offspring.

The study revealed that babies whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy had a greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU) in comparison to mothers who didn't take any medication during pregnancy, or had stopped taking their medication for autism and adhd before or during pregnancy. This was due to 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 caesarean sections or a baby that scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases appear to be unrelated to the type of medication used during pregnancy.

The research suggests that the small risk associated with the use of ADHD medications during the early stages of pregnancy could be offset by the greater benefit to both mother and child from continued treatment for the woman's condition. Physicians should discuss the issue with their patients and, if possible, help them develop strategies for improving their coping skills which can reduce the impact of her disorder on her daily functioning and relationships.

Medication Interactions

As more women than ever are being diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the dilemma of whether or not to end treatment during pregnancy is one that more and more doctors face. Often, these decisions are made in the absence of clear and authoritative evidence either way, so physicians must weigh their knowledge from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what research suggests on the subject, along with their own judgments for each individual patient.

The issue of potential risks to the infant can be extremely difficult. The research on this subject is based on observations rather than controlled studies and a lot of the results are contradictory. Furthermore, most studies restrict their analysis to live births, which could underestimate severe teratogenic effects that cause abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study discussed in the journal club addresses these shortcomings by analyzing both data on live and deceased births.

The conclusion is that while some studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between adhd medication guanfacine medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, other studies have not found any evidence of a link and the majority of studies demonstrate a neutral or slightly negative impact. Therefore, a careful risk/benefit assessment is required in every situation.

It can be challenging, if not impossible for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In a recent piece 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 ADHD medications feelings of being isolated. In addition, a decrease in medication can interfere with the ability to complete job-related tasks and drive safely that are crucial aspects of a normal life for many people with ADHD.

She recommends women who are uncertain about whether to continue or stop taking medication because of their pregnancy, consider informing family members, friends and colleagues on the condition, its impact on daily functioning, and on the advantages of staying on the current treatment plan. It can also make the woman feel more comfortable in her struggle with her decision. It is important to note that certain drugs can pass through the placenta, therefore, if a patient decides to discontinue her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware that traces of the medication could be transferred to the child.

Birth Defects and Risk of

As the use and use of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases as does the concern about the possible effects of the 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 the use of stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the overall risk is low, first-trimester ADHD exposure to medication was associated with slightly higher rates of certain heart defects, like ventriculoseptal defects.

The researchers of the study did not discover any connection between early medication usage and congenital anomalies such as facial deformities or club feet. The results are consistent with previous studies revealing an increase, but not significant, in the risk of heart malformations among women who began taking ADHD medications prior to the time of pregnancy. The risk was higher in the later part of pregnancy, as many women decide to stop taking their ADHD medications.

Women who used ADHD medications in the first trimester of pregnancy were also more likely to have caesarean sections, a low Apgar score after delivery and a baby who required breathing assistance during birth. However the authors of the study were not able to eliminate bias due to selection by limiting the study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that could be a contributing factor to these findings.

The researchers hope their research will serve to inform the clinical decisions of physicians who treat pregnant women. The researchers recommend that while discussing benefits bipolar and adhd medication risks are crucial, the decision about whether to continue or stop taking medication for adhd should be based on the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her requirements.

The authors warn that, even though stopping the medication is an option to think about, it isn't advised due to the high rate depression and other mental disorders in women who are expecting or have recently given birth. 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

It can be a challenge to become a mom. Women who suffer from ADHD who must work through their symptoms while attending doctor appointments as well as getting ready for the arrival of their child and getting used to new routines at home can experience severe challenges. Therefore, many women elect to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout pregnancy.

The majority of stimulant drugs pass through breast milk in small amounts, so the risk for infant who is breastfeeding is low. However, the amount of exposure to medication by the newborn may differ based on the dosage, ADHD medications frequency it is administered, and at what time the medication 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 isn't yet fully understood.

Because of the lack of evidence, some doctors might be tempted to stop taking stimulant drugs during a woman's pregnancy. This is a complicated decision for the patient, who must weigh the benefits of keeping her medication against the possible dangers to the fetus. Until more information is available, doctors should ask all pregnant patients about their history of buy adhd medication online and if they are taking or planning to take medication during the perinatal period.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that women can continue taking their ADHD medication safely during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. In the end, more and more patients choose to do so and in consultation with their doctor they have discovered that the benefits of maintaining their current medication far outweigh any risks.

Women with ADHD who are planning to nurse should seek advice from a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor and discuss the pros and cons of continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation is also necessary to help pregnant women with ADHD recognize the signs and the underlying disorder. They should also learn about treatment options and reinforce coping mechanisms. This should be a multidisciplinary effort together with obstetricians, GPs and psychiatry. Pregnancy counseling should consist of a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother and the child, and monitoring for indicators of deterioration, and, if necessary, adjustments to the medication regime.