There have have been several studies regarding children with ADHD and successful treatments and interventions. It seems the number of children diagnosed with this disorder has increased in numbers over the years. Parents are faced with decisions that will not only benefit their children with ADHD but also have to consider the safety of treatment, more specifically medication treatments. I do know personally some parents who have struggled with the decision of weather or not to try medication as a treatment for their child with ADHD. When researching the types of medications used in clinical approaches one would find all effects, results, and out comes experienced by each participant in the study listed as potential side effects or risk of taking that medication; despite the likeliness of that same side effect or negative outcome occurring. Reading this information can be scary for a parent making the decision, and understanding the likeliness of the risks may be difficult with out medical guidance. I found an article discussing a study of adolescents taking ADHD medication and severe cardiovascular events. Previous studies had indicated drugs used to treat ADHD can lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure in children. This led to concerns that medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could increase the risk of cardiovascular events in children and adolescents. An observational study conducted by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (http://www.med.upenn.edu/) and HealthCore Inc. concluded, they are no more likely to die from a severe cardiovascular events than those who do not take the medications(Targeted News Service,2011). Researchers found in reports 28 deaths in the group exposed to ADHD medications (incidence 1.79 per 10,000 person-years) and 607 in the control group, or those not exposed (incidence 3.00 per 10,000 person-years) (Targeted News Service, 2001). Sean Hennessy, PhD, an associate professor of Epidemiology at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania believes the findings of this study should reassure parents and caregivers of the safety from cardiovascular perspective (Targeted News Service, 2011). Researchers did not identify those who were exposed to ADHD medications have an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes related to these medications. This topic of concern continues to be examined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
| No Increase in Severe Cardiovascular Events for Children, Adolescents Taking ADHD Medications, Penn Study Finds. (2011, May 16). Targeted News Service,Retrieved May 22, 2011, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 2348890541). |
Leone,
ReplyDeleteFortunately, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 'at least 80% of children will respond to one of the stimulants,' so if 1 or 2 medications don't work or have unwanted side effects, then a third might be tried. But how do you decide which medicine is best to try first? In general, there is no one 'best' medicine and the AAP states that 'each stimulant improved core symptoms equally.' Further, It would help if parents are aware of the different medications that are available. Stimulants, are considered to be first line treatments, and antidepressants, are second line treatments and might be considered if 2 or 3 stimulant medications don't work for your child.
I believe doing further research on medications for ADHD would be able to clarify some, if not all of the inconsistencies in some of the reports.
Thanks for your post!
The medications for ADHD has many side effects. In reading, it seems that the benefits of the medicine doesn't out weigh the side effects of the medicine. A child with ADHD already has many issues and when they take ADHD medication they can aquire more. Thank God, I don't have a child with ADHD because it would be difficult deciding whether to give my child the medicine for ADHD. I wouldn't want my child to have more problems just to alleviate one.
ReplyDeleteLeone,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting reading your post because it does shed some positive light on the latest treatment for ADHD. Children who suffer from this disorder are misunderstood by so many people who are not aware of the symptoms. Teachers who are not informed about the disorder many times will attribute children’s behavior to mere indiscipline. Persons who work with children really need to be informed about these various disorders and the associated symptoms so that the right approach can be employed when dealing with these children.
Many medications do have side effects but the Targeted News Service, 2001 report is quite reassuring and I am sure that further research in this area will reveal even more starkling news and encouragement to families. There is much hope in research since it brings relief to the participants, other children, families and other caregivers.
The diagnosis increase of this disorder is alarming. You mentioned side effects of the meds given. I'm wondering if there is research on the causes of the increase. Is there a pattern somewhere in the lives of the children?
ReplyDelete