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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 breast-feeding. There is a lack of information about how long-term exposure to these medications can affect the foetus.

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological problems such as impaired hearing or vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high-quality studies are needed.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication need to evaluate the benefits of using it against the possible dangers for the fetus. Physicians don't have the data needed to provide clear recommendations, but they can provide information about benefits and risks that can help pregnant women make informed choices.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who were taking ADHD medications used for adhd in early pregnancy did not have a significantly increased risk of fetal heart malformations or major birth defects that are structural. Researchers conducted a large population-based case control study to examine the prevalence of major structural defects in infants born to mothers who took stimulants during pregnancy. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists reviewed the cases to ensure an accurate classification of the cases and to reduce the chance of bias.

However, the researchers' study had its limitations. The researchers were unable in the beginning, to separate the effects triggered by the medication from the disorder. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to establish whether the small differences observed between the exposed groups were due to the use of medications or confounded by co-morbidities. In addition, the researchers did not examine the long-term outcomes of offspring.

The study did reveal that infants whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at slightly higher risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those whose mothers had not taken any medication or stopped their medications before or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders, and the higher risk of admission was not found to be influenced by the stimulant medication was used during pregnancy.

Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy also had an increased chance of having a caesarean birth or having a baby born with an low Apgar score (less than 7). These risks did not appear to be affected by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.

The researchers suggest that the small risk associated with the use of ADHD medications during the early stages of pregnancy may be offset by the higher benefit to both the mother and child from continued treatment for the woman's condition. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this issue and as much as possible, assist them develop coping skills that could reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily functioning and her relationships.

Interactions with Medication

More and more doctors are faced with the decision of whether to continue treatment or stop as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. These decisions are often taken without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, physicians must weigh their own knowledge and experience, as well as the experiences of other physicians and the research on the subject.

The issue of potential risks 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. Furthermore, most studies restrict their analysis to live births, which could undervalue the serious teratogenic effects that can cause abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these shortcomings, by examining both the data from deceased and live births.

The conclusion is that while some studies have found that there is a positive correlation between ADHD medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, other studies have found no such relationship and the majority of studies demonstrate a neutral or slight negative effect. In every case it is imperative to conduct a thorough evaluation of the risks and benefits must be performed.

For a lot of women with ADHD, the decision to stop taking medication can be difficult, if not impossible. In fact, in an article recently published in Archives of Women's Mental Health, psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping adhd medication over the counter Uk (http://test.gitaransk.ru) medication during pregnancy can lead to increased depression, feelings of loneliness, and family conflict for these patients. Additionally, the loss of medication may affect the ability to perform jobs and drive safely which are essential aspects of daily life for many people suffering from ADHD.

She suggests women who are unsure about whether to keep or stop taking medication because of their pregnancy consider the possibility of educating friends, family members and colleagues on the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and on the benefits of keeping the current treatment regimen. Educating them can also make the woman feel more comfortable as she struggles with her decision. It is important to note that certain medications are able to pass through the placenta therefore, if a patient decides to stop taking her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware of the possibility that traces of the drug can be passed on to the baby.

Birth Defects and Risk of

As the use and abuse of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases, so does concern about 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 subject. Researchers used two massive datasets to analyze over 4.3 million pregnancy and determine whether stimulant medications caused birth defects. Although the risk overall remains low, the scientists did find that first-trimester exposure to ADHD medications was linked to an increase in the risk of certain heart defects, like ventriculo-septal defects (VSD).

The authors of the study could not discover any link between early use of medication and other congenital anomalies such as 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 cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medications prior to pregnancy. The risk increased in the latter part of pregnancy, when a lot of women decided to stop taking their medication.

Women who took ADHD medication during the first trimester were more likely to require a caesarean delivery, have a low Apgar after delivery and have a baby who needed breathing assistance at birth. The authors of the study were unable to eliminate selection bias because they limited the study to women without other medical conditions that might have contributed to the findings.

Researchers hope that their research will help doctors when they meet pregnant women. They advise that while discussing the benefits and risks is important however, the decision to stop or keep medication must be based on each woman's requirements and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.

The authors warn that, while stopping the medication is a possibility to look into, it is not advised due to the high rate depression and other mental disorders among women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Further, the research suggests that women who decide to stop their medications are more likely to experience a difficult time adjusting to life without them after the baby's arrival.

Nursing

It can be a stressful experience to become a mother. Women who suffer from ADHD who have to deal with their symptoms while attending physician appointments, getting ready for the arrival of a baby and adjusting to new adhd medication household routines can experience severe challenges. Therefore, many women elect to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout pregnancy.

The majority of stimulant medicines pass through breast milk in low amounts, so the risk to the infant who is breastfeeding is low. However, the frequency of exposure to medication by the newborn may differ based on dosage, how often it is administered, and the time of the day it is administered. In addition, various drugs enter the infant's system through the gastrointestinal tract or through breast milk. The effect on the health of a newborn is not fully comprehended.

Some doctors may stop taking stimulant medication during a woman’s pregnancy due to the absence of research. It's a difficult choice for the woman, who must weigh the advantages of taking her medication as well as the potential risks to the foetus. As long as there what is the most common adhd medication prescribed no more information, doctors should ask all pregnant patients about their experience with ADHD and if they are planning or taking to take medication during the perinatal period.

Many studies have shown that women can continue to take their adhd medication cost medication safely while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. As a result, many patients choose to do so, and in consultation with their doctor they have found that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh any risks.

It is crucial for women suffering from ADHD who are thinking of breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's guidance prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss the medication they are taking with their physician, and the pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD understand their symptoms and the underlying disorder, learn about available treatment options and reinforce existing strategies for coping. This should involve a multidisciplinary approach, which includes the GP, obstetricians and psychiatry. The pregnancy counselling should consist of the discussion of a treatment plan for both mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.