10 Of The Top Mobile Apps To ADHD Medication Pregnancy
10 Of The Top Mobile Apps To ADHD Medication Pregnancy
Blog Article
ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women with ADHD must make a difficult decision on whether to keep or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. There isn't much information on 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 conditions like hearing loss or impaired vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality studies are needed.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Pregnant women who use ADHD medications must weigh the advantages of taking them against potential risks to the foetus. Doctors don't have enough data to make unambiguous recommendations however they can provide information on the risks and benefits to assist pregnant women to make an informed decision.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who took ADHD medication during early pregnancy were not at greater risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers used a vast population-based study of case-control to determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who took stimulants during the early stages of pregnancy, and those who did not. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts examined the cases to confirm that the classification was accurate and to minimize any bias.
The study of the researchers was not without limitations. Researchers were unable, in the first place, to separate the effects of the medication from the disorder. This makes it difficult to determine whether the small differences observed in the exposed groups result from medication use or the confounding effect of comorbidities. In addition, the researchers did not look at the long-term outcomes of offspring.
The study revealed that infants whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy had a greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU) in comparison to those whose mothers did not use any medication during pregnancy, or had stopped taking their medication before or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medications used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher risk of having to have an emergency caesarean section or having one whose baby scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases appear to be unrelated to the type of medication used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the small risks posed by the use of ADHD medication during pregnancies in the early stages may be offset by the more beneficial outcomes for both baby and mother of continued treatment for the woman’s disorder. Physicians should talk to their patients about this issue and as much as possible, assist them develop coping skills that may reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily functioning and her relationships.
Medication Interactions
Many doctors are confronted with the dilemma of whether to maintain treatment or stop as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. Often, these decisions are made in the absence of clear and authoritative evidence either way, so physicians must weigh their knowledge about their experiences, the experiences of other doctors, and what the research suggests about the subject, along with their own best judgment for each patient.
Particularly, the subject of potential risks for the infant can be difficult. The research that has been conducted on this topic is based on observations rather than controlled studies and the results are contradictory. Most studies restrict their analysis to live births, which may underestimate the teratogenic impact which can cause terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study presented in this journal club addresses these issues by analyzing data on live and deceased births.
Conclusion A few studies have found a positive correlation between ADHD medications and certain birth defects however, other studies haven't shown such a relationship. Most studies show a neutral, or even slight negative impact. Therefore, a careful risk/benefit assessment must be done in each case.
For many women with ADHD who suffer from ADHD, the decision to stop 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 these patients. In addition, a decrease in medication can interfere with the ability to perform job-related tasks and drive safely that are crucial aspects of daily life for many people with ADHD.
She suggests women who are uncertain about whether to continue or discontinue medication due to their pregnancy should consider the possibility of educating friends, family members and colleagues on the condition, its impact on daily life, and the advantages of continuing the current treatment regimen. It will also help a woman feel confident about her decision. It is important to remember that some drugs can pass through the placenta, therefore, if a patient decides to discontinue 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 medication to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases as do concerns about the effects that the medications could have on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge on this subject. Researchers used two massive data sets to study more than 4.3 million pregnant women and determine if stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the risk overall is low, first-trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defect.
The researchers behind the study found no connection between early medication use and congenital abnormalities like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are consistent with previous studies showing an increase, but not significant, in the risk of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medications prior to the time of the time of pregnancy. The risk increased in the latter part of pregnancy when a large number of women stopped taking their medication.
Women here who took ADHD medication in the first trimester of their pregnancies were also more likely to undergo caesarean section, low Apgar score after delivery and a baby who required help breathing at birth. However, the authors of the study were unable to eliminate bias due to selection by restricting the study to women who did not have other medical issues that could be a contributing factor to these findings.
Researchers hope that their study will provide doctors with information 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 in light of the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and the needs of the woman.
The authors warn that, although stopping the medication is an option to think about, it isn't advised due to the high rate depression and other mental disorders among women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Additionally, the research suggests that women who choose to stop their medications are more likely to have a difficult time adapting to life without them after the baby's arrival.
Nursing
The responsibilities of being a new mother can be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD are often faced with a number of difficulties when they must deal with their symptoms, attend doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a baby and adjust to new routines. Many women opt to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The risk to a breastfeeding infant is not too high since the majority of stimulant medication is absorbed through breast milk at a low level. However, the amount of exposure to medication by the newborn may differ based on the dosage, frequency it is administered and the time of day the medication is administered. In addition, individual medications enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk, and the effect of this on a newborn infant is not fully understood.
Some doctors may stop taking stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy due to the lack of research. It's a difficult choice for the woman who must weigh the advantages of taking her medication as well as the risk to the embryo. Until more information is available, doctors should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and if they plan or are taking to take medication during the perinatal period.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that women can continue taking their ADHD medication without risk during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. This has led to an increasing number of patients opt to do this and in consultation with their doctor they have found that the benefits of continuing their current medication far outweigh any potential risks.
Women who suffer from ADHD who are planning to breastfeed should seek the advice of an expert psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help women with ADHD recognize their symptoms and the underlying disorder, learn about available treatment options and strengthen existing coping strategies. This should be a multidisciplinary effort with the GPs, obstetricians and psychiatry. Pregnancy counselling should include the discussion of a treatment plan for both the mother and child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.