Why You Should Concentrate On Improving ADHD Medication Pregnancy

ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The decision to stop or keep ADHD medications during breastfeeding and pregnancy is a challenge for women suffering from the condition. There aren't enough data on how exposure to ADHD for a long time could affect a fetus.

A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological issues like hearing loss 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 must weigh the benefits of taking it against the potential risks for the fetus. Physicians don't have the necessary data to make unequivocal recommendations however they can provide information about the risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making informed choices.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who took ADHD medications during early pregnancy did not have a significantly increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major structural birth defects. Researchers used a large sample-based case control study to examine the prevalence of structural defects that were major in infants who were born to mothers who were taking stimulants during pregnancy. Pediatric cardiologists, clinical geneticists and other experts looked over the cases to make sure that the classification was correct and to minimize any bias.

The research conducted by the researchers was not without its limitations. Researchers were unable to, in the first place, to separate the effects of the medication from the disorder. That limitation makes it difficult to determine whether the small differences observed in the groups that were exposed result from medication use or confounding by comorbidities. Additionally the study did not examine long-term offspring outcomes.

The study did reveal that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a more risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who whose mothers did not take any medication or had taken off their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system-related disorders, and the higher risk of admission was not found to be affected by the type of stimulant medication was used during pregnancy.

Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an elevated risk of having a caesarean section or having a child with an low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases appeared to be independent of the type of medication taken during pregnancy.

The researchers suggest that the small risk associated with the use of ADHD medications during the early stages of pregnancy could be offset by the greater benefits for both mother and child from continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this issue and, if possible, help them improve coping skills which could reduce the effects of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.

Medication Interactions

As more women than ever are diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the question of whether to keep or stop treatment during pregnancy is one that more and more doctors confront. Often, these decisions are made without solid and reliable evidence in either case, which means that doctors have to weigh their experience from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what Medications are prescribed For adhd research says on the topic as well as their own best judgment for each individual patient.

The issue of risk for infants can be extremely difficult. A lot of studies on this issue are based on observations rather than controlled research and their conclusions are often contradictory. Additionally, the majority of studies limit their analysis to live births, which adhd medication is the best may underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that could lead to abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these shortcomings, by examining both information on deceased and live births.

Conclusion Some studies have found a positive correlation between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not established a link. The majority of studies show an unintended, or slightly negative, effect. In every case it is imperative to conduct a thorough analysis of the risks bipolar and adhd medication benefits must be performed.

It can be difficult, if not impossible for women with ADHD to stop taking their medication. In a recent article published in Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can lead to depression and feelings of isolation. A loss of medication may also impact the ability to drive safely and perform work-related tasks, which are vital aspects of daily life for those suffering from ADHD.

She suggests that women who are unsure whether to continue taking medication or stop it due to their pregnancy should educate family members, coworkers and their friends about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the advantages of staying on the current treatment. In addition, educating them can aid in ensuring that the woman feels supported as she struggles with her decision. It is important to remember that some drugs can pass through the placenta therefore, if a patient decides to stop taking her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware that traces of the medication could be passed on to the baby.

Birth Defects Risk

As the use and misuse of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the concern over the potential effects of these drugs on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body knowledge on this topic. Utilizing two huge data sets, researchers were able to look at more than 4.3 million pregnancies and see whether the use of stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers found that while the overall risk is low, first-trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects such as ventriculoseptal defect.

The researchers of the study found no connection between early use of medication and other congenital anomalies, like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are in line with previous studies showing a small but significant increase in the risk of developing cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medications prior to the birth of their child. The risk increased in the latter stages of pregnancy when many women stopped taking their medication.

Women who took ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely to require a caesarean birth and also have an insufficient Apgar after delivery, and have a baby who needed help breathing after birth. However the researchers of the study were not able to eliminate bias due to selection by limiting the study to women who didn't have any other medical issues that could be a contributing factor to these findings.

Researchers hope that their research will inform physicians when they see pregnant women. They advise that while a discussion of the risks and benefits is crucial but the decision to stop or keep medication must be based on each woman's needs and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.

The authors also advise that even though stopping the medication is an option, it isn't a recommended practice because of the high incidence of depression and other mental health issues for women who are expecting or recently postpartum. Furthermore, research suggests that women who decide to stop their medications are more likely to have a difficult time getting used to life without them after the birth of their baby.

Nursing

It can be a stressful experience becoming a mother. Women with ADHD are often faced with a number of difficulties when they must deal with their symptoms, go to doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of a child and adjust to new routines. As such, many women elect to continue taking their ADHD medication throughout the pregnancy.

The risk to a breastfeeding infant is minimal because the majority of stimulant medication is absorbed through breast milk at a low level. The amount of exposure to medications will vary based on the dosage the medication is administered, its frequency and the time of the day. Additionally, different medications enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk, and the effect of this on a newborn is not fully known.

Due to the absence of research, some physicians may be inclined to discontinue stimulant medications during the pregnancy of a woman. This is a difficult choice for the patient, who must balance the benefit of continuing her medication against the potential risks to the embryo. Until more information is available, GPs should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and whether they plan or are taking to take medication during the perinatal time.

A increasing number of studies have shown that women can continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This has led to many patients are choosing to do so, and in consultation with their physician, they have found that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh any potential risks.

Women with ADHD who are planning to nurse should seek the advice of a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should discuss the medication they are taking with their physician as well as the pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women with ADHD understand the symptoms and underlying disorder. They should also learn about treatment options and strengthen strategies for coping. This should be a multidisciplinary effort with the GPs, obstetricians and psychiatry. The pregnancy counselling should consist of discussion of a management plan for both mother and child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.