The Course of ADHD during Pregnancy

Trajectories of ADHD medication use before, during, and after pregnancy: A population-based study from Norway and Sweden

PURPOSE

To describe ADHD medication use trajectories around pregnancy in Norway and Sweden.

METHODS

We identified pregnancies resulting in births using linked data from birth and prescribed drug registers of Norway (2006-2019, N = 813 107) and Sweden (2007-2018, N = 1 269 146). We restricted to women who filled prescriptions for ADHD medication during pregnancy or in the year before or after. We described exposure as use versus no use, and total amount of drug dispensed in defined daily doses (DDDs). Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify distinct medication use trajectories.

RESULTS

In total, 13 286 women (0.64%) filled a prescription for ADHD medication. We identified four trajectory groups: continuers (5.7%), interrupters (23.8%), discontinuers (49.5%), and late initiators (21.0%). Discontinuers were younger, continuers were older on average. More women continued medication in recent years (2014-2019). Most discontinuers (60.7%) were nulliparous; more initiators and continuers had one or multiple previous births, respectively. Continuers were least likely to live with a partner (65.8%). Discontinuers were least likely (24.7%) and continuers most likely (37.6%) to smoke at the beginning of pregnancy. More continuers used amphetamine derivatives and were most likely to use other psychotropics. On modeling continuers, we identified three dose-trajectory groups which suggested that most women reduced medication dose during pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Most pregnant women discontinued or interrupted their ADHD medication during pregnancy, but more continued in recent years. Continuers were more likely to have had previous births, less likely to have lived with a partner, and may have had additional comorbidities warranting the use of other psychotropics.

Risk of Major Malformations in Infants After First-Trimester Exposure to Stimulants: Results From the Massachusetts General Hospital National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND

The prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adult females is 3% to 4%. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is highly comorbid with other psychiatric disorders such as mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. For reproductive-aged women, the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with stimulant medications may be considered during pregnancy or breastfeeding, although historically, data are lacking to inform these decisions. The aim of this investigation was to determine the risk of major malformations in infants after first-trimester prescription stimulant exposure in a small but rigorously characterized sample.

METHODS/PROCEDURES

The Massachusetts General Hospital National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications systematically ascertains information from pregnant females including demographic information, medical and psychiatric history, use of prescription medications, and other information relevant to fetal outcomes. Participants provide verbal informed consent and are interviewed twice during gestation and again at approximately 3 months postpartum. The primary outcome of interest is the presence of a major malformation identified within 6 months after birth. Redacted cases of major malformations are reviewed by a dysmorphologist blinded to medication exposure.

FINDINGS/RESULTS

A total of N = 1988 women were eligible for this analysis, including the following exposures: n = 173 to mixed amphetamine salts; n = 40 to lisdexamfetamine; n = 45 to methylphenidate; n = 3 to dexmethylphenidate; and n = 1755 controls. The odds ratio of a major malformation among infants after first-trimester exposure to any stimulant was 0.39 (95% confidence interval, 0.09-1.61) compared with controls. There were no major malformations observed in infants exposed to lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate, or dexmethylphenidate.

IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS

Although preliminary, this analysis from an ongoing pregnancy registry provides reassurance that these stimulants do not appear to have major teratogenic effects.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01246765.

Associations Between ADHD Symptoms and Maternal and Birth Outcomes: An Exploratory Analysis in a Multi-Country Cohort of Expectant Mothers

OBJECTIVE

ADHD symptoms can adversely impact functioning in a range of domains relevant for maternal well-being and fetal development; however, there has been almost no research examining their impact during pregnancy. We aimed to address this gap.

METHOD

We used data (n = 1,204) from a longitudinal birth cohort study spanning eight countries to address this gap.

RESULTS

ADHD symptoms in the third trimester of pregnancy were associated with lower social support from family (b = -0.16, p = .031), friends (b = -0.16, p = .024), and significant others (b = -0.09, p = .001); higher stress (b = 0.34, p < .001) and depressive symptoms (b = 0.31, p < .001), and increased likelihood of an unwanted pregnancy (b = 0.30, p = .009). Significant associations with tobacco use (b = 0.36, p = .023) and premature birth (b = 0.35, p = .007) did not survive correction for multiple comparisons and there were no significant associations with alcohol use, low birth weight, or unplanned pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that women with ADHD symptoms could benefit from earlier, more regular screening for mental health difficulties and greater mental health support during pregnancy.

Obstetric complications in mothers with ADHD

BACKGROUND

There is currently limited research on the intersection of pregnancy and ADHD and the unique pregnancy risk factors for mothers with an ADHD diagnosis. With an increased population of patients with ADHD in the recent decades and an increase in ADHD medication use during pregnancy it is important to consider what unique risks mothers with ADHD face during the perinatal period.

OBJECTIVE

Investigate a variety of outcomes in maternal ADHD.

METHODS

We identified female patients with a diagnosis of pregnancy and ADHD diagnosis. We also further separated the ADHD cohort for separate sub-analyses based on medication type. Odds ratios and relative risk were calculated from outcome incidence within each cohort. Cohorts were balanced on age, sex, and race.

RESULTS

We identified 45,737 pregnant females with ADHD. We matched these patients to pregnant females without ADHD, for a total of 42,916 pairs. Compared to the group without ADHD, mothers with ADHD had higher rates of every outcome except for HPV infection, which was statistically insignificant (P = 0.768). The odds ratios ranged from 1.08 for anemia complicating pregnancy to 2.63 for depressive episodes. Most outcomes were between 1.2 and 1.8 times more likely to occur in the cohort with ADHD.

CONCLUSION

This study presents substantial advancements in our knowledge of pregnancy-related ADHD care. Armed with an increased awareness of these potential complications and their relationship with ADHD, obstetricians, psychiatrists, and providers of all specialties may be able to reduce the rate of complications within this specific patient population.