The 10 Most Worst ADHD Medication Pregnancy-Related FAILS Of All Time Could Have Been Prevented
The 10 Most Worst ADHD Medication Pregnancy-Related FAILS Of All Time Could Have Been Prevented
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ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The decision to stop or continue ADHD medications during pregnancy and nursing is a challenge for women suffering from the condition. There isn't much information on how long-term exposure to these drugs may affect the fetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during the uterus don't develop neurological disorders like impaired vision or hearing, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that further high-quality research is needed.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Pregnant women who use ADHD medications need to balance the advantages of using them against the risks to the fetus. The doctors don't have the information to make unambiguous recommendations however they can provide information on risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making an informed decision.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who used ADHD medications during early pregnancy did not have a significantly increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major birth defects that are structural. Researchers used a vast population-based case-control study to evaluate the incidence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who took stimulants during early pregnancy, as well as those who had not. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists examined the cases to ensure an accurate case classification and to minimize the possibility of bias.
The study conducted by the researchers was not without its limitations. Researchers were unable in the beginning to differentiate the effects of the medication from the disorder. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to determine whether the small associations observed among the groups exposed were due to the use of medications, or if they were caused by comorbidities. The researchers also did not study long-term outcomes for offspring.
The study found that infants whose mother took ADHD medication during pregnancy had a greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU) in comparison to mothers who didn't take any medication during pregnancy, or had discontinued taking their medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not influenced by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher risk of having an emergency caesarean section or having the baby was not scoring well on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These risks did not seem to be influenced 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 could be offset by the greater benefits to both mother and child from continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should speak with their patients about this and try to help them improve coping skills which 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 treated with medication, the issue of whether to keep or discontinue treatment during pregnancy is one that doctors are having to face. These decisions are often taken without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, doctors have to weigh their own knowledge and experience, as well as the experiences of other doctors and the research that has been conducted on the subject.
Particularly, the subject of potential risks for the baby can be tricky. A lot of studies on this issue are based on observational evidence rather than controlled research and their conclusions are often contradictory. Most studies limit their analysis to live births, which may underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that can lead to abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these shortcomings, by examining both data on live and deceased births.
Conclusion A few studies have shown an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not found a correlation. Most studies have shown an unintended, or slight negative impact. In all cases, a get more info careful study of the risks and benefits is required.
It can be difficult, if not impossible, for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In a recent article in 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 being isolated. Furthermore, a loss of medication may affect the ability to complete work-related tasks and safely drive which are essential aspects of a normal life for a lot of people with ADHD.
She suggests that women who are not sure whether to take the medication or stop due to pregnancy, educate their family members, coworkers, and friends about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the benefits of keeping the current treatment. It can also make the woman feel more comfortable as she struggles with her decision. Certain medications can pass through the placenta. If a woman decides to stop taking her ADHD medication while breastfeeding, it is important to be aware that the drug could be transferred to the infant.
Risk of Birth Defects
As the use and misuse of ADHD medications to treat the symptoms of attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), increases, so does concern about 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 topic. With two massive data sets researchers were able to look at more than 4.3 million pregnancies and see whether stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers found that while the overall risk is low, first-trimester ADHD exposure to medication was associated with slightly higher rates of certain heart defects, like ventriculoseptal defects.
The authors of the study found no connection between early medication use and other congenital anomalies, such as facial clefting or club foot. The results are in line with 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 part of pregnancy, when a lot of women began to stop taking their medication.
Women who took ADHD medications during the first trimester of their pregnancy were also more likely to undergo caesarean sections, a low Apgar score after delivery and a baby who required help breathing at birth. However the authors of the study were not able to eliminate bias due to selection by restricting the study to women who did not have any other medical issues that could be a contributing factor to these findings.
Researchers hope their research will help doctors when they encounter pregnant women. They recommend that, while the discussion of the risks and benefits is crucial, the decision to stop or continue medication must be based on each woman's needs and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.
The authors warn that, although stopping the medication is a possibility to think about, it isn't recommended due to the high rate depression and mental health issues for women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Research has also shown that women who stop taking their medications will have a harder time adjusting to a life without them once the baby is born.
Nursing
The responsibilities that come with being a new mother can be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD who must work through their symptoms while attending physician appointments and getting ready for the arrival of a baby and adapting to new routines in the home can experience severe challenges. This is why many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout pregnancy.
The risk to a breastfeeding infant is minimal because the majority of stimulant medication is absorbed through breast milk at a low level. The rate of exposure to medication will differ based on dosage, frequency of administration and time of day. In addition, individual medications enter the baby's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk, and the effect of this on a newborn infant is not well understood.
Because of the lack of research, some doctors might be tempted to stop taking stimulant drugs during a woman's pregnancy. This is a difficult decision for the patient, who must balance the benefits of keeping her medication against the possible dangers to the embryo. Until more information becomes available, doctors may ask pregnant patients if they have any background of ADHD or if they intend to take medication during the perinatal stage.
A growing number of studies have proven that the majority of women are able to safely continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. As a result, more and more patients choose to do so and, in consultation with their doctor they have discovered that the benefits of continuing their current medication far exceed any risk.
It's important 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 doctor and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation should also be offered to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD understand their symptoms and the underlying disorder and learn about treatment options and strengthen existing coping strategies. This should involve a multidisciplinary approach, which includes the GP, obstetricians and psychiatry. Pregnancy counselling should include the discussion of a plan for management for both the mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration, and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.