Cohort Study | In utero exposure to ADHD medication does not seem to result in worse offspring neurodevelopmental outcomes

Summary: The authors conducted a study to investigate the long-term effects of in utero exposure to ADHD medication (methylphenidate, amphetamine, dexamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine, modafinil, atomoxetine, clonidine) on offspring. The study followed 1,068,073 liveborn singletons from 1998 to 2018 and compared the outcomes of children whose mothers continued or discontinued ADHD medication during pregnancy. The main outcomes were neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders, impairments in vision or hearing, epilepsy, seizures, or growth impairment during childhood or adolescence. After adjustment for demographic and psychiatric characteristics of the mother, no increased risk of any developmental disorders was found in offspring exposed to ADHD medication compared to those not exposed. The results provide reassurance for women with ADHD who depend on medication and consider continuing it during pregnancy.

(By ChatGPT, reviewed and edited)

Article: In utero exposure to ADHD medication and long-term offspring outcomes – Molecular Psychiatry (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

News Release: Study: Pregnant women on ADHD medications shouldn’t worry about pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders – The Mount Sinai Hospital

Commentary from the author on Twitter (thread – click for more)

In-utero exposure to ADHD medication is not associated with long-term adverse neurodevelopmental disorders and growth restriction in the offspring.

Read the thread below ?on our new paper just published in @molpsychiatry
? https://t.co/MKZ0aeFnhU#ADHD

— Kathrine Bang Madsen (@Kathrine_BaMa) February 9, 2023