The Biggest "Myths" Concerning ADHD Medication Pregnancy Could Be A Lie > 자유게시판

ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women with ADHD face a difficult decision about whether to continue or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. There aren't enough data on how exposure to ADHD for a long time could affect the foetus.

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during utero do not develop neurological disorders like hearing loss or impaired vision seizures, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality research.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication must weigh the benefits of taking it against the potential risks to the foetus. Physicians don't have the data needed to make unequivocal recommendations, but they can provide information about benefits and risks that can aid pregnant women in making informed decisions.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication during their early pregnancy did not have a higher risk of fetal malformations or structural birth defects. Researchers used a large sample-based case control study to assess the frequency of structural defects that were major in infants who were born to mothers who used stimulants during pregnancy. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts looked over the cases to confirm that the classification was accurate and to eliminate any bias.

However, the study was not without its flaws. Researchers were unable, in the first place to distinguish the effects triggered by the medication from the disorder. This makes it difficult to determine whether the small differences observed in the groups that were exposed are due to medication use or the confounding effect of comorbidities. Additionally the researchers did not look at the long-term outcomes of offspring.

The study showed that infants whose mother took ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly higher chance of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU) as compared to those whose mothers did not take any medication during pregnancy or had quit taking the 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 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 risks did not appear to be influenced by the kind of medication used during pregnancy.

Researchers suggest that the minor risks posed by the use of private adhd assessment medway medications during early pregnancies may be offset by the greater benefits for baby and mother of continued treatment for the woman's condition. Physicians should discuss this with their patients and, when possible, help them develop strategies to improve their coping abilities that can doctors prescribe Adhd Medication lessen the impact of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.

Interactions with Medication

Many doctors are faced with the decision of whether to maintain treatment or stop it during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. Most of the time, these decisions are made without clear and authoritative evidence either way, so physicians must weigh what they know, the experiences of other doctors, and what the research says on the topic as well as their best judgment for each patient.

The issue of possible risks for infants can be difficult to determine. The research that has been conducted on this topic is based on observation instead of controlled studies and the results are contradictory. The majority of studies restrict their analysis to live births, which may underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects which can cause abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study that is discussed in this journal club addresses these limitations by analyzing data on live and deceased births.

The conclusion is that while some studies have shown an association between ADHD medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, other studies have not found any evidence of a link and the majority of studies show a neutral or even slightly negative impact. In the end, a careful risk/benefit analysis must be conducted in every case.

For a lot of women with ADHD who suffer from ADHD, the decision to stop medication is difficult if not impossible. In fact, in an article published in the 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. A decrease in medication could also impact the ability to drive safely and perform work-related tasks, which are essential aspects of normal life for those suffering from ADHD.

She suggests that women who aren't sure whether to continue taking the medication or discontinue it due to pregnancy should educate family members, coworkers, and friends about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the benefits of continuing the current treatment plan. It will also help a woman feel more confident in her decision. It is important to remember that some medications can pass through the placenta so if a woman decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware that the effects of the medication could be transferred to the infant.

Birth Defects Risk

As the use of adhd medications for adults medication to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows, so do concerns over the impact that these drugs might have on fetuses. A recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the body of knowledge on this subject. Researchers used two massive data sets to study over 4.3 million pregnancies and determine whether stimulant medications caused birth defects. Although the risk overall is low, the researchers found that exposure in the first trimester 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 found no connection between early use of medication and congenital abnormalities like facial clefting, or club foot. The findings are in line with previous studies that have shown an increase, but not significant, in the risk of cardiac malformations in women who started taking ADHD medications prior to the time of the time of pregnancy. This risk increased during the latter half of pregnancy when a large number of women stopped taking their medication.

Women who took ADHD medication during the first trimester were more likely to need a caesarean or have an insufficient Apgar after delivery, and have a baby that needed breathing assistance after birth. The researchers of the study could not remove bias in selection since they limited their study to women with no other medical conditions that might have contributed to the findings.

Researchers hope their research will inform physicians when they see pregnant women. They suggest that although discussing the risks and benefits is crucial however, the decision to stop or keep medication should be based on the woman's needs and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.

The authors caution that, although stopping the medication is an option to look into, it is not advised because of the high incidence of depression and other mental problems in women who are expecting or have recently given birth. Furthermore, research suggests that women who choose to stop taking their medications are more likely to have a difficult time adapting to life without them after the baby's arrival.

Nursing

It can be a stressful experience becoming a mother. Women who suffer from ADHD who have to manage their symptoms while attending doctor appointments as well as making preparations for the arrival of their child and adapting to new routines in the home can experience severe challenges. Many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.

The majority of stimulant medications prescribed for adhd pass through breast milk in very small amounts, so the risk for infant who is breastfeeding is low. The rate of medication exposure can vary depending upon the dosage and frequency of administration as well as the time of the day. In addition, individual medications enter the baby's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk. The impact of this on a newborn isn't well known.

Due to the absence of research, some physicians may be inclined to discontinue stimulant medications during the pregnancy of a woman. This is a difficult decision for the woman, who must weigh the advantages of her medication against the risk to the fetus. In the meantime, until more information is available, 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.

Numerous studies have proven that women can continue to take their ADHD medication safely during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. In response, a growing number of patients are choosing to continue their medication. They have discovered after consulting with their physicians that the benefits of keeping their current medication far outweigh any risk.

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 the medication they are taking with their physician, and the pros and cons of continuing treatment. This includes non medication treatment for adhd adults-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation should also be provided to help women with ADHD be aware of their symptoms and the root cause, learn about available treatment options and reinforce existing strategies for coping. This should involve a multidisciplinary approach with the GP, obstetricians and psychiatry. The pregnancy counselling should consist of the discussion of a plan for management for both the mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration, and, if necessary, adjustments to the medication regimen.