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ADHD Drugs Possibly Linked to Birth Defects

Using Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication before or during pregnancy can possibly increase a woman's chance of giving birth to a baby with certain birth defects, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.

"The birth defects that we found to be at increased risk were, two birth defects of the abdominal wall and transverse deficiency, where the limbs do not completely form during pregnancy," says Kayla Anderson, PhD, from the CDC in Atlanta.

Earlier studies from CDC have found that reproductive-aged women are increasingly being prescribed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications.

This new finding is important since nearly half of US pregnancies are unintended and that early pregnancy is a critical period for fetal development.

Dr. Anderson points out that the study was a small one and more studies are needed. She recommends, "women should talk to their healthcare providers about options for managing ADHD symptoms before and during pregnancy."

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