Due to copyright issues, an electronic copy of the thesis must be ordered from the faculty. For the faculty to have time to process the order, the order must be received by the faculty at the latest 2 days before the public defence. Orders received later than 2 days before the defence will not be processed. After the public defence, please address any inquiries regarding the thesis to the candidate.
Trial Lecture – time and place
See Trial Lecture.
Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Professor Helga Gardarsdottir, Utrecht University
- Second opponent: Associate Researcher Ulrika Nörby, Lund University, Sweden
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Professor J. Fredrik Frøen, University of Oslo
Chair of the Defence
Professor II Malin Eberhard-Gran, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Senior researcher Jacqueline Cohen, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Summary
The increasing prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among women of childbearing age raises concerns about the safety of ADHD medication during pregnancy. With rising rates of medication use, the potential risks to maternal and fetal health necessitate comprehensive investigation, particularly regarding adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and miscarriage.
This thesis aims to enhance the understanding of ADHD medication use during pregnancy and its associated risks. Study 1 explores usage patterns around pregnancy, revealing distinct trajectories of medication use among pregnant women. Studies 2 and 3 investigate the links between ADHD medication use and the risks of preterm birth and miscarriage, respectively.
Utilizing linked data from nationwide registers including birth and prescribed drug registers in Norway and Sweden, the studies analyze ADHD medication exposure and its relationship with pregnancy outcomes. Findings indicate that a significant number of women either discontinue (50%) or interrupt (24%) their ADHD medications during pregnancy. However, some women continue (6%) their usage throughout pregnancy, while others initiate (21%) use after pregnancy. Use of other psychiatric medications was common across all groups and highest among continuers. In Study 2, medication use during both early and late pregnancy was associated with modestly increased risk of preterm birth. Longer cumulative exposure correlated with higher risks. Study 3 found that ADHD medication use during pregnancy was associated with higher odds of miscarriage. Cautious interpretation is required, as prescription fills do not necessarily equate to actual medication use.
In conclusion, this thesis underscores the need for careful treatment decisions for women with ADHD. Medication use during pregnancy poses potential risks, emphasizing the importance of further research to refine risk estimates and inform clinical guidelines.
Additional information
Contact the research support staff.