Association of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With Events Occurring During Pregnancy and Perinatal Period

Abstract

Background: The relationship of events occurring during pregnancy and perinatal period with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not clear. Thus, the focus of the current study was to examine the effects of events occurring during pregnancy and perinatal period on ADHD.Methods: A two-phase cross-sectional study was performed across 13 schools in Changsha and Yiyang cities from March to December, 2014. We preliminarily screened all students using CBCL and established the diagnosis using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). A total of 3,418 questionnaires were effectively completed in this study.Results: History of threatened abortion (TA) [odds ratio (OR): 1.707 (1.201–2.426)] (vs. No-TA) and neonatal asphyxia (NA) [OR: 2.497(1.225–5.09)] (vs. health) showed a positive association with ADHD. On subgroup analysis, TA [OR: 2.216 (1.458–3.369)] (vs. No-TA) was a risk factor for ADHD without comorbidity; instrumental delivery [OR: 2.748 (1.057–7.142)] (vs. natural birth) and NA [OR: 2.789 (1.222–6.361)] (vs. health) were risk factors for ADHD in the subgroup of ADHD with comorbidity; TA (vs. no-TA) and NA (vs. health) were risk factors for ADHD among male students [ORs: 2.232 (1.439–3.462) and 2.808 (1.115–7.068), respectively], while low birth weight (LBW) (vs. normal birth weight) was a risk factor [OR: 2.054 (1.063–3.967)] for ADHD among female students.Conclusion: TA was a risk factor for ADHD in the absence of comorbid conditions; instrumental delivery and NA were risk factors for ADHD in the subgroup of ADHD with comorbidity; TA and NA were risk factors for ADHD among male students. LBW was a risk factor for ADHD among female students.

The pooled prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among children and adolescents in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The finding is supported by studies conducted elsewhere [ 39 , 78 , 79 ]. The possible explanation might be maternal complications during pregnancy might cause multi-organ damage including the central nervous system, which can affect fetal neurodevelopment and may predispose to ADHD [ 80 , 81 ].…”

Association between previous abortion history and risk of autism spectrum disorders among offspring: a meta-analysis

“…Our analysis suggests that the offspring of women with a history of abortion were at higher risk of ASD. Regardless of ASD as a neurodevelopmental disorder, previous studies demonstrated a positive association between abortion and other neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ 25 , 26 ], intellectual disability [ 27 ], and cerebral palsy [ 28 ]. Since abortion is a common adverse pregnancy outcome, valid and robust evidence of its effect on adverse outcomes in children is a research need that can be addressed using large-scale prospective studies.…”

Elements That Influence the Development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children

“…Prior research has demonstrated that hypoxia can create long-term abnormalities of the dopaminergic system and even reduce the expression of the dopamine D2 receptor, hence increasing the risk of ADHD. In addition, current research indicates that hypoxia can change catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene expression; the COMT gene has been linked to ADHD or ADHD symptoms [ 23 ].…”