The 12 Most Unpleasant Types Of ADHD Medication Pregnancy Accounts You…

ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The choice types of adhd medication whether to stop or continue ADHD medication during breastfeeding and pregnancy is a challenge for women suffering from the condition. There are few data on how long-term exposure may affect a fetus.

A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in utero do not develop neurological developmental disorders like impaired vision or hearing seizures, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that further high-quality studies are needed.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are pregnant and taking ADHD medication should weigh the benefits of taking it against the possible risks to the foetus. Physicians don't have the information needed to provide clear recommendations however they can provide information regarding benefits and risks that can help pregnant women make informed choices.

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

The study of the researchers was not without its limitations. Researchers were unable, in the first place to differentiate the effects of the medication from the disorder. This limitation makes it difficult to determine whether the limited associations observed in the groups that were exposed result from medication use or confounding by comorbidities. The researchers did not examine long-term outcomes for the offspring.

The study revealed that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy had a greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU), compared to those whose mothers did not take any medication during pregnancy, or had discontinued taking their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system-related disorders, and the increased risk of admission was not found to be influenced by which stimulant medications were taken during pregnancy.

Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher chance of having to have caesarean sections or the baby was not scoring well on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases did not appear to be affected by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.

The research suggests that the small risk associated with the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancy may be offset by the greater benefits to both the mother and child of continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this and try to help them improve coping skills which can lessen the impact of her disorder in her daily functioning and her 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 discontinue treatment during pregnancy is one that more and more physicians confront. The majority of these decisions are made in the absence of clear and authoritative evidence regardless, so doctors must weigh what they know, the experiences of other doctors, and what research suggests on the subject and their best judgment for each patient.

Particularly, the issue of possible risks to the infant can be difficult. The research that has been conducted on this topic is based on observations instead of controlled studies and many of the findings are conflicting. The majority of studies focus on live births, which can underestimate the teratogenic impact which can cause abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study that is discussed in this journal club addresses these issues by analyzing data on live and deceased births.

Conclusion: While 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 somewhat negative, impact. In each case an in-depth study of the benefits and risks must be performed.

It can be difficult, if not impossible for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In a recent article in the 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 loneliness. The loss of medication can affect the ability to drive safely and to perform work-related tasks which are crucial aspects of normal life for those suffering from ADHD.

She suggests that women who are unsure whether to continue taking medication or discontinue it due to pregnancy should educate family members, coworkers and acquaintances about the condition, the impact on daily functioning and the benefits of keeping the current treatment. It can also help women feel confident about her decision. It is important to remember that some drugs can be absorbed through the placenta therefore, if a patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that traces of the drug could be passed on to the baby.

Birth Defects Risk

As the use of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases as do concerns about the effects that the drugs might have on foetuses. A recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the existing information on this topic. Researchers utilized two massive data sets to examine more than 4.3 million pregnancy and determine if the use of stimulant medications increased birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the overall risk is low, first-trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher rates of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defects.

The researchers of the study found no association between the use of early medications and other congenital anomalies, such as facial clefting or club foot. The results are in line with previous studies that showed an insignificant, but small increase in cardiac malformations for women who began taking ADHD medication prior to the birth of their child. The risk increased in the latter half of pregnancy when many women stopped taking their medication.

Women who took ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean delivery or have a low Apgar after delivery and had a baby that required breathing assistance at birth. However, the authors of the study were unable to eliminate selection bias by limiting the study to women who didn't have any other medical issues that could have contributed to the findings.

The researchers hope their study will serve to inform the clinical decisions of physicians who prescribes adhd medication treat pregnant women. They suggest that although the discussion of risks and benefits is important but the decision to stop or maintain treatment should be based on the woman's needs and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.

The authors warn that, even though stopping the medication is an option to look into, it is not recommended 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 medications will have a difficult transitioning to life without them once the baby is born.

Nursing

The responsibilities of being a new mom can be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they have to manage their symptoms, attend doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of their child and adjust to a new routine. Therefore, many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout pregnancy.

The majority of stimulant drugs pass through breast milk in small quantities, so the risk to breastfeeding infant is minimal. However, the rate of medication exposure to the newborn may differ based on dosage, how often it is taken and the time of day it is administered. In addition, individual 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 understood.

Because of the lack of research, some doctors may recommend stopping stimulant medications during the course of pregnancy. This is a difficult decision for the mother, who must weigh the benefits of her medication against the risk to the foetus. Until more information is available, doctors should inquire with all pregnant patients about their experience with ADHD and if they are taking or planning to take medication during the perinatal period.

Many studies have shown that women can continue taking their ADHD medication safely while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. In response, a growing number of patients are opting to continue their medication. They have concluded after consulting with their physicians that the benefits of continuing their current medication far outweigh any potential risks.

It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD who are contemplating breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's guidance prior to becoming pregnant. They should review their medications with their prescriber and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation should also be provided to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD be aware of their symptoms and underlying disorder and learn about treatments and to reinforce existing strategies for coping. This should be a multidisciplinary process together with obstetricians, GPs, and psychiatrists. Pregnancy counselling should include discussion of a management plan for both the mother as well as the child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.