Undisputed Proof You Need ADHD Medication Pregnancy
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ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women suffering from ADHD have to make a difficult choice regarding whether or not to stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Little data exists about how long-term exposure to these drugs 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 conditions like hearing or vision impairment seizures, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality studies are required.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and take ADHD medication need to weigh the benefits of taking it against the possible risks for the foetus. Physicians don't have the data to provide clear recommendations however they can provide information on the risks and benefits to help pregnant women make an informed decision.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who used ADHD medications in early pregnancy did not face an increased risk of fetal heart malformations or major birth defects that are structural. Researchers used a vast population-based case-control study to determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who took stimulants during early pregnancy and those who had not. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts looked over the cases to confirm that the classification was accurate and to minimize any bias.
However, the study was not without its flaws. In particular, they were unable to separate the effects of the medication from the disorder that is underlying. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine whether the small associations observed among the exposed groups were due to the use of medication, or if they were caused by co-morbidities. The researchers did not examine the long-term effects for the offspring.
The study did show that infants 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 infants who were born without any medication or had taken off their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not influenced by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an elevated chance of having a caesarean birth or having a child with an low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases appeared to be unrelated to the type of medication taken during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the minor risks posed by the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancies may be offset by the more beneficial outcomes for both baby and mother of continued treatment for the woman's condition. Physicians should speak with their patients about this and try to help them develop coping skills that could reduce the effects of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever before are being diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medication, the issue of whether to continue or end treatment during pregnancy is a question that more and more physicians have to face. These decisions are usually made without clear and reliable evidence. Instead, doctors must take into account their own experience, the experience of other doctors and the research that has been conducted on the subject.
Particularly, the issue of possible risks to the baby can be a challenge. A lot of studies on this topic are based on observational data rather than controlled research and their conclusions are often contradictory. The majority of studies focus on live births, which can underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects which can cause terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these issues by analyzing information on deceased and live births.
Conclusion A few studies have shown a positive correlation between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not established a link. Most studies show a neutral, or even somewhat negative, effect. In every case an in-depth evaluation of the risks and benefits is required.
For many women with ADHD and ADD, the decision to stop taking medication is difficult if not impossible. In fact, in an article published in Archives of Women's Mental Health psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can cause depression, feelings of loneliness, and family conflict for patients with adhd over the counter Medication uk (http://lawshare.Tw/home.php?mod=space&uid=401566). The loss of medication can i get adhd medication without a diagnosis also affect the ability to safely drive and complete work-related tasks, which are essential aspects of everyday life for people with ADHD.
She suggests that women who are unsure about whether to keep or stop medication in light of their pregnancy, consider the possibility of educating friends, family members, and coworkers on the condition, its effects on daily life, bipolar and adhd medication the advantages of staying on the current treatment plan. It can also help women feel confident about her decision. It is important to remember that some medications can pass through the placenta, therefore, if a patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that the effects of the drug can be transferred to the infant.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use and misuse of ADHD medication to treat symptoms of attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing, so does concern about the potential adverse effects of the drugs on foetuses. A recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the existing information on this topic. Researchers utilized two massive datasets to analyze more than 4.3 million pregnant women and determine whether stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers found that while the risk overall is low, the first trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defect.
The researchers of the study found no association between early use of medication 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 the number of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medication before pregnancy. The risk increased in the latter stages of pregnancy, when a lot of women stopped taking their medication.
Women who took ADHD medications during the first trimester of pregnancy were also more likely to have caesarean sections, a low Apgar score after delivery and a baby who needed help breathing at birth. However the researchers of the study were unable 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 aid in the clinical decisions of physicians who treat pregnant women. They advise that while the discussion of the risks and benefits is crucial but the decision to stop or maintain medication should be based on the woman's requirements and the severity of her managing adhd without medication adults symptoms.
The authors also advise that even though stopping the medication is an option, it isn't an option that is recommended due to the high incidence of depression and other mental health problems in women who are pregnant or post-partum. Research has also shown that women who stop taking their medications will have a tough transitioning to life without them once the baby is born.
Nursing
The responsibilities of a new mother can be overwhelming. Women with ADHD who must work through their symptoms while attending physician appointments as well as getting ready for the arrival of a child and getting used to new routines at home can experience severe challenges. Many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The risk to breastfeeding infant is not too high since the majority of stimulant medications used to treat adhd is absorbed through breast milk at low levels. However, the amount of exposure to medications by the infant can differ based on dosage, frequency it is administered and at what time the medication is administered. Additionally, individual medications enter the body of the baby differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk. The impact of this on a newborn is not well understood.
Because of the lack of evidence, some doctors may recommend stopping stimulant drugs during a woman's pregnancy. It's a difficult choice for the woman, who must weigh the advantages of her medication against the risks to the fetus. Until more information becomes available, GPs can inquire about pregnant patients if they have an history of ADHD or if they intend to take medication during the perinatal phase.
Many studies have shown that women can continue to take their ADHD medication without risk while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. In response, a growing number of patients are opting to continue their medication. They have concluded, in consultation with their physicians that the benefits of retaining their current medication far outweigh any potential risks.
It is essential for women with ADHD who are considering breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's advice prior becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber and discuss the pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD recognize their symptoms and the underlying disorder, learn about available treatments and to reinforce existing coping strategies. This should involve an approach that is multidisciplinary, including the GP as well as obstetricians, psychiatry and obstetricians. Counselling for pregnancy should include discussion of a management plan for both the mother and child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration, and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.
