The 10 Most Worst ADHD Medication Pregnancy Fails Of All Time Could Have Been Prevented
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The decision to stop or keep ADHD medications during breastfeeding and pregnancy is challenging for women with the condition. There are few data regarding how exposure over time may affect the fetus.
A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus do not develop neurological developmental disorders like hearing loss or impaired vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality studies are needed.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and take ADHD medication must evaluate the benefits of using it versus the risks for the baby. Physicians do not have the information needed to give clear guidelines but they can provide information regarding the risks and benefits to help pregnant women make informed choices.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who took ADHD medications during their early pregnancy did not face a significantly increased risk of fetal heart malformations or major birth defects that are structural. Researchers conducted a large population-based study of case-control to evaluate the incidence of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who took stimulants during early pregnancy, and those who did not. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts reviewed the cases in order to ensure that the classification was accurate and to eliminate any bias.
The study conducted by the researchers was not without its limitations. The researchers were not able to, in the first place to differentiate the effects triggered by the medication from the disorder. That limitation makes it difficult to determine whether the small differences 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.
medications for adhd uk found that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy had a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU) as compared to mothers who did not take any medication during pregnancy or quit taking the medication prior to or during pregnancy. This increase was due to central nervous system-related disorders and the increased risk of admission was not found to be affected by the type of stimulant medications were used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy also had an elevated chance of having a caesarean delivery or having a baby with a low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases didn't seem to be influenced 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 the early stages of pregnancy may be offset by the greater benefit for both mother and child of continued treatment for the woman's condition. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this and try to help them develop coping skills that may reduce the effects of her disorder on 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 to keep or stop treatment during pregnancy is one that doctors are having to have to face. Most of the time, these decisions are made in the absence of solid and reliable evidence in either case, which means that doctors must weigh what they know about their experiences, the experiences of other doctors, and what research suggests about the subject as well as their own judgments for each individual patient.
Particularly, the issue of potential risks for the infant can be difficult. Many of the studies on this issue are based on observational data instead of controlled research and their conclusions are often contradictory. Most studies restrict their analysis to live-births, which could underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that can lead to terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these limitations by analyzing the data from deceased and live births.
Conclusion A few studies have found an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects however, other studies haven't found a correlation. Most studies show a neutral, or even somewhat negative, effect. As a result an accurate risk-benefit analysis is required in every situation.
It isn't easy, but 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 lead to depression and feelings of loneliness. A loss of medication may also impact the ability to safely drive and to perform work-related tasks which are crucial aspects of normal life for those with ADHD.
She suggests women who are unsure about whether to keep or discontinue medication due to their pregnancy should consider the possibility of educating friends, family members and colleagues on the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and on the advantages of continuing the current treatment regimen. adhd and depression medication can also help a woman feel more confident in her decision. It is important to remember that some medications are able to be absorbed through the placenta therefore, if a patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware of the possibility that traces of the medication could be transferred to the child.
Risk of Birth Defects
As the use and abuse of ADHD medication to treat symptoms of attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing the concern over the possible effects of the drugs on fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge on this subject. Researchers used two huge data sets to study over 4.3 million pregnancy and determine if stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. Although the risk overall remains low, the researchers did find that first-trimester exposure to ADHD medications was associated with a slightly higher rate of specific heart defects, such as ventriculoseptal defect (VSD).
The researchers of the study did not discover any connection between early medication usage and congenital anomalies like facial deformities or club feet. The results are in line with previous studies that have shown an increase, but not significant, in the risk of heart malformations in women who started taking ADHD medications prior to the time of pregnancy. This risk increased during the latter stages of pregnancy when a large number of women began to stop taking their medication.
Women who used ADHD medications in the first trimester of their pregnancy were also more likely to experience caesarean section, low Apgar score following delivery, and a baby that required breathing assistance at birth. The researchers of the study could not eliminate bias due to selection because they restricted the study to women with no other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.
Researchers hope their research will inform physicians when they encounter pregnant women. The researchers advise that while discussing benefits and risks are important, the decision 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 advise that while discontinuing the medications is an alternative, it is not an option to consider due to the high rate of depression and other mental health problems for women who are expecting or recently postpartum. Furthermore, research suggests that women who choose to stop taking their medication are more likely to experience a difficult time getting used to life without them following the birth of their baby.
Nursing
The responsibilities of a new mom can be overwhelming. Women with ADHD who have to deal with their symptoms while attending physician appointments, making preparations for the arrival of their child and adapting to new routines in the home are often faced with a number of difficulties. As such, many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout the course of pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant drugs are absorbed by breast milk in small quantities, so the risk for breastfeeding infant is minimal. However, the amount of medication exposure to the infant can differ based on the dosage, frequency it is administered, and the time of the day it is administered. Additionally, individual medications enter the body of the baby differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk and the impact of this on a newborn isn't well known.
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 taking her medication as well as the risk to the embryo. In the meantime, until more information is available, doctors can inquire about pregnant patients whether they have a history of ADHD or if they are planning to take medication in the perinatal period.
Many studies have shown that women can continue taking their ADHD medication without risk during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. In response, an increasing number of patients are choosing to continue their medication. They have found after consulting with their doctors that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh possible risks.
Women with ADHD who are planning to breastfeed should seek advice from an expert psychiatrist prior to 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 required to help women with ADHD be aware of their symptoms and the underlying disorder Learn about the available treatment options and reinforce existing strategies for coping. This should be an approach that is multidisciplinary, including the GP doctors, obstetricians and psychiatrists. Pregnancy counselling should include the discussion of a plan for management for both mother and child, monitoring for signs of deterioration, and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.