ADHD medication in pregnancy: understanding the population and outcomes related to treatment use and discontinuation
Project
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Our aim is to assess risks of ADHD medication use or discontinuation during pregnancy to advise health professionals and women of childbearing age with ADHD and provide scientific innovations.
Summary
Our aim is to assess risks of ADHD medication use or discontinuation during pregnancy to advise health professionals and women of childbearing age with ADHD and provide scientific innovations.
ADHD became an increasingly common diagnosis among adults in the last two decades. The subsequent increase in ADHD medication use among women of childbearing age has been substantial. While we are concerned about the potential negative consequences of drug exposures in pregnancy, we should also weigh the risks of discontinuing effective treatment. Prior epidemiologic studies have identified increased risks of miscarriage and preterm birth related to ADHD treatment, but there are concerns about what is the appropriate comparison group and potential sources of bias that have been underexplored. For example, women with ADHD might be more likely to seek an induced abortion which would affect their risk of experiencing a miscarriage. The primary objective of the project is to assess whether ADHD medication use or discontinuation during pregnancy increase the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, or postpartum depression. Secondary objectives explore potential sources of bias including risk of experiencing an induced abortion and describe how ADHD medications are used around the pregnancy period. The project uses data from health registries in Norway and Sweden and the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). We employ statistical methods that go beyond state of the art. The project is led by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. A PhD student funded by RCN was employed in this project from 2021 to 2024. Collaborating partners are Karolinska Institutet (Sweden), University of Bergen, University of British Columbia (Canada) and McGill University (Canada). We interviewed members of the patient organization "ADHD Norway" for input on relevant topics. In communication with the field, decision makers, health professionals and patient groups, we may influence regulations, clinical advice and promote research on the safe use of ADHD medicines during pregnancy.
Project leader
Jacqueline Mallory Cohen, Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Project participants
Carolyn E. Cesta, Karolinska Institutet
Chaitra Srinivas, Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Kari Furu, Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Michael B. Lensing, Oslo University Hospital
Helle Kieler, Karolinska Institutet
Jennifer A Hutcheon, The University of British Columbia
Olga Basso, McGill University
Vidar Hjellvik, Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Siri Eldevik Håberg, Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Randi Marie Selmer, Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Anders Engeland, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen
Øystein Karlstad, Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
About the project
Start
30.11.2020
End
31.08.2025
Status
Active
Project owner/ Project manager
Norwegian Institute of Public Health