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ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women suffering from ADHD must make a difficult decision regarding whether or not to stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There is a lack of information about how long-term exposure to these medications may affect the fetus.

A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in utero do not develop neurological developmental conditions like hearing loss or impaired vision seizures, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality research.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Pregnant women who take ADHD medications must weigh the benefits of taking them against potential risks to the fetus. Physicians don't have the data to provide clear recommendations but they can provide information on the risks and benefits to assist pregnant women to make an informed decision.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who were taking ADHD medications in early pregnancy did not have an higher risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a massive population-based case control study to compare the incidence of major structural defects in infants born to mothers who used stimulants during pregnancy. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts looked over the cases to confirm that the classification was correct and to reduce any bias.

The study of the researchers had some limitations. The most important issue was that they were unable to distinguish the effects of the medication from those of the disorder that is underlying. This limitation makes it difficult to determine whether the limited associations observed in the groups that were exposed are due to the use of medication or comorbidities that cause confusion. The researchers also did not study long-term outcomes for offspring.

The study did reveal that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those who whose mothers did not take any medication or had cut back on their medications prior to or during pregnancy. This increase was due to central nervous system-related disorders and the increased risk for admission was not found to be influenced by which stimulant medications were used during pregnancy.

Women who took stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an elevated risk of having a caesarean birth or having a baby with a low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases appear to be unrelated to the type of medication taken during pregnancy.

Researchers suggest that the small risks associated with the use ADHD medications in early pregnancies may be offset by the more beneficial outcomes for both baby and mother of continued treatment for the woman’s disorder. Physicians should discuss the issue with their patients and, if they are able, assist them in developing strategies to improve their coping abilities which can reduce the impact of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.

Interactions with Medication

As more women than ever before are being diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the question of whether to continue or stop treatment during pregnancy is one that more and more doctors confront. Most of the time, these decisions are made without solid and reliable evidence in either case, which means that doctors must weigh what they know from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what research suggests on the subject and their best judgment for each individual patient.

Particularly, the issue of potential risks for the baby can be a challenge. The research on this subject is based on observations rather than controlled studies and many of the findings are in conflict. The majority of studies limit their analysis to live-births, which could underestimate the teratogenic impact that can lead to abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these shortcomings by analyzing both data on live and deceased births.

Conclusion Some studies have found a positive correlation between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not shown such a relationship. Most studies have shown an unintended, or slightly negative, impact. In the end, a careful risk/benefit assessment is required in every situation.

For many women with ADHD who suffer from ADHD, the decision to stop taking medication can be difficult, if not impossible. In a recent piece published in Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can cause depression and feelings of being isolated. A decrease in medication could also impact the ability to drive safely and adhd medication Pregnancy perform work-related tasks, which are vital aspects of everyday life for those with ADHD.

She suggests that women who are unsure whether to continue taking medication or stop due to pregnancy should educate family members, colleagues, and their friends about the condition, the impact on daily functioning and the advantages of staying on the current treatment regimen. It can also aid in ensuring that the woman feels supported when she is struggling with her decision. It is also worth noting that certain medications are able to be absorbed through the placenta therefore, if a patient decides to discontinue her natural adhd medication 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 and abuse of ADHD medications to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the concern over the potential adverse effects of the drugs on fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body knowledge on this issue. Utilizing two huge data sets, researchers were able to look at more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine whether stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. Although the risk overall remains low, the researchers found that exposure in the first trimester to ADHD medications was linked to an increase in the risk of certain heart defects, such as ventriculo-septal defect (VSD).

The authors of the study found no link between early medication use and other congenital abnormalities, like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are in the same vein as previous studies that showed a small, but significant increase in cardiac malformations for women who began taking adhd medication pregnancy (Recommended Internet site) medication before the time of pregnancy. The risk grew in the later part of pregnancy, when many women are forced to stop taking their medication.

Women who used safest adhd medication for adults medications during the first trimester of their pregnancy were also more likely to undergo caesarean section, low Apgar score after delivery and a baby who required breathing assistance at 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 other medical issues that could have contributed to these findings.

Researchers hope that their research will provide doctors with information when they encounter pregnant women. The researchers advise that while discussing the risks and benefits are important, the decision regarding whether or not to stop medication should be made in light of the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her requirements.

The authors also warn that while discontinuing the medications is an option, it isn't an option that is recommended due to the high incidence of depression and other mental health issues for women who are expecting or recently post-partum. Further, research shows that women who stop taking their medications will have a difficult time adjusting to a life without them once the baby is born.

Nursing

The responsibilities of a new mom can be overwhelming. Women suffering from ADHD are often faced with a number of difficulties when they must deal with their symptoms, attend doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of their child and adjust to new routines. Many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.

The risk to breastfeeding infant is minimal because the majority of stimulant medications passes through breast milk at a low level. However, the amount of exposure to medication by the newborn may differ based on dosage, frequency it is taken and the time of day the medication is administered. In addition, individual medications enter the baby's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk and the impact of this on a newborn infant is not fully known.

Due to the absence of research, some physicians may be inclined to discontinue stimulant drugs during a woman's pregnancy. This is a complicated decision for the patient, who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication with the potential dangers to the embryo. Until more information is available, doctors should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and whether they are planning or taking to take medication during the perinatal time.

Numerous studies have proven that women can continue to take their ADHD medication in a safe manner during pregnancy and breast-feeding. In response, an increasing number of patients are choosing to do so. They have concluded after consulting with their doctors, that the benefits of retaining their current medication outweigh risk.

It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD who are contemplating breastfeeding to seek a specialist psychiatrist's advice prior becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber, and the pros and cons of continuing treatment. This includes non medication treatment for adhd-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD be aware of their symptoms and the root cause, learn about available treatments and to reinforce existing coping strategies. This should be a multidisciplinary effort including obstetricians, GPs and psychiatry. Pregnancy counseling should include discussion of a treatment plan for the mother as well as the child, monitoring of indicators of deterioration, and, if necessary adjustments to the medication regime.