• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The decision to stop or continue ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding is challenging for women with the condition. There is a lack of information about how long-term exposure to these drugs can affect the foetus.

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during the uterus don't develop neurological disorders such as hearing or vision impairment seizures, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high-quality research is needed.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are pregnant and take ADHD medication should weigh the benefits of taking it against the possible risks to the foetus. The doctors don't have the information to make unambiguous recommendations but they can provide information on the risks and benefits to help pregnant women make an informed decision.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication in early pregnancy were not at higher risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. The researchers used a large population-based study of case-control to assess the risk of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who had taken stimulants during the early stages of pregnancy, as well as those who had not. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists looked over the cases to ensure correct case classification and to minimize the chance of bias.

However, the study was not without its flaws. In particular, they were unable to separate the effects of the medication from the disorder at hand. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to determine if the few associations observed between the groups that were exposed to the use of medications or if they were confounded by comorbidities. The researchers also did not study long-term outcomes for offspring.

The study did show that infants whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a more risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who whose mothers did not take any medication or had stopped their medications before or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medication that was used during pregnancy.

Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher risk of having an emergency caesarean section or having a baby that scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases did appear to be independent of the type of medication taken during pregnancy.

The researchers suggest that the low risk associated with the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancy may be offset by the higher benefit to both the mother and child of continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should talk to their patients about this issue and, if possible, help them develop coping strategies that could reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily life and relationships.

Medication Interactions

As more women than ever are being diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medication for odd and adhd, the dilemma of whether to continue or discontinue treatment during pregnancy is a question that more and more physicians confront. The majority of these decisions are taken in the absence of any evidence that is clear and definitive regardless, so doctors must weigh what they know, the experiences of other doctors, and what the research says on the topic, along with their own best adhd medication for adults uk judgment for each patient.

Particularly, the issue of possible risks to the baby can be a challenge. A lot of studies on this subject are based on observations rather than controlled research, and their findings are often contradictory. The majority of studies restrict their analysis to live births, which may underestimate the teratogenic impact that can lead to abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study that is discussed in this journal club addresses these shortcomings by analyzing 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 established a link. most Popular adhd medication studies have shown that there is a neutral, or slightly negative, effect. As a result an accurate risk-benefit analysis must be conducted in every situation.

For a lot of women with ADHD who suffer from ADHD, the decision to stop medication can be difficult, if not impossible. 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 isolation. Additionally, the loss of medication may affect the ability to complete job-related tasks and drive safely, which are important aspects of daily life for many people with 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 about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the advantages of continuing the current treatment regimen. It will also help a woman feel supported in her decision. It is important to note that some drugs can be absorbed through the placenta so if the patient decides to discontinue her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware that the effects of the drug can be transferred to the infant.

Risk of Birth Defects

As the use of ADHD medications to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows, so do concerns about the effects that the drugs might have on fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body knowledge on this subject. Researchers used two huge datasets to analyze over 4.3 million pregnancies and determine if the use of stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Although the risk overall is low, the researchers did find that first-trimester exposure to ADHD medications was associated with a slightly higher rate of certain heart defects such as ventriculoseptal defect (VSD).

The researchers of the study did not discover any link between early medication usage and other congenital anomalies, like facial deformities or club feet. The results are in agreement with previous studies that have shown the existence of a slight, but significant increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who started taking ADHD medication prior to the time of pregnancy. This risk increased in the latter half of pregnancy, when many women decide to stop taking their ADHD medications.

Women who used ADHD medications in the first trimester of their pregnancies were also more likely to experience a caesarean section, a low Apgar score after delivery and a baby that required breathing assistance at birth. However the authors of the study were not able to eliminate bias due to selection by limiting the study to women who did not have any other medical issues that could have contributed to these findings.

Researchers hope that their study will provide doctors with information when they meet pregnant women. The researchers suggest that, while discussing risks and benefits are important, the choice regarding whether or not to stop medication should be made according to the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her requirements.

The authors warn that, although stopping the medication is a possibility to look into, it is not advised because of the high incidence of depression and other mental problems among women who are pregnant or recently gave birth. Research has also shown that women who stop taking their medication will have a tough time adjusting to a life without them once the baby is born.

Nursing

The responsibilities of a new mom can be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD can face severe challenges when they have to manage their symptoms, go to doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a child and adjust to new routines. As such, many women elect to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout the course of pregnancy.

The majority of stimulant medications pass through breast milk in very small amounts, so the risk to the nursing infant is very low. However, the rate of exposure to medication by the newborn can vary depending on dosage, frequency it is taken and the time of day the medication is administered. In addition, individual medications enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk, and the effect of this on a newborn is not fully known.

Some doctors may stop taking stimulant medication during a woman’s pregnancy due to the lack of research. This is a complicated decision for the patient, who must balance the benefit of continuing her medication with the potential risks to the embryo. As long as there is no more information, doctors should ask all pregnant patients about their history of prescribe adhd medication and if they are taking or planning to take medication during the perinatal period.

A growing number of studies have revealed that most women can safely continue their ADHD medication while they are pregnant and nursing. In response, an increasing number of patients are choosing to do this. They have found, in consultation with their doctors that the benefits of retaining their current medication outweigh possible risks.

It's important for women with ADHD who are considering breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's guidance prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber as well as the pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also needed to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD be aware of the symptoms and the underlying disorder. They should also learn about treatment options and build strategies for coping. This should be a multidisciplinary approach, which includes the GP as well as obstetricians, psychiatry and obstetricians. Pregnancy counseling should include a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother and the child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration and, if necessary modifications to the medication regimen.