Prenatal ADHD medication use does not harm early developmental outcomes in offspring

Children born to mothers with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who used associated medications during pregnancy do not seem to have adverse early childhood development, according to a retrospective study from the Netherlands.

Researchers used data from a pilot study, supplemented with data from a general teaching hospital and regional child health clinics. They identified mothers with ADHD with a gestation period of ≥24 weeks who did or did not use psychotropic medication (SSRIs, methylphenidate, benzodiazepines, and antipsychotics) during pregnancy. A control group that comprised mothers without psychiatric diagnosis was also established.

The main outcome of child development was assessed using the Van Wiechen Onderzoek (VWO), a validated Dutch screening tool used for early childhood developmental disorders in health clinics. Relevant somatic and socioeconomic confounders were documented.

The analysis included 72 children born to mothers with ADHD, of whom 36 were exposed to psychotropic medication in utero, and 32 children were born to mothers without a psychiatric diagnosis.

Total VWO scores did not differ significantly between children of mothers with ADHD and children of mothers without ADHD, as well as between children exposed to psychotropic medication in utero and those unexposed to such medications.

The researchers advised caution when interpreting the findings, considering the small sample size.