Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 18, 2025
Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development
Published on: May 17, 2024
Obstetric oxytocin exposure and ADHD and ASD among Danish and Finnish children
Lonny Stokholm1, Mette Juhl2, Nicole M Talge3
1Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
Obstetric oxytocin use during labor induction was associated with a slight increase in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in offspring. However, this association is unlikely to be causal, allaying concerns about its clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal medicine
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Pharmacovigilance
Background:
- Previous studies suggested a potential link between prenatal exposure to obstetric oxytocin and increased risks of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Given the widespread use of oxytocin in obstetric care, these potential risks warrant thorough investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between obstetric oxytocin treatment for labor induction or augmentation and the risk of ADHD and ASD in offspring.
- To address concerns regarding the safety of synthetic oxytocin in obstetric practice.
Main Methods:
- A population-based study utilizing national registers from Denmark and Finland.
- Inclusion of singleton births from Denmark (2000-2010) and Finland (1991-2010), followed until December 2015.
- Definition of ADHD and ASD using diagnostic codes, with ADHD diagnosis further supported by medication data. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models.
Main Results:
- Oxytocin was administered in 31% (Denmark) and 46% (Finland) of deliveries.
- Crude analyses showed a ~20% increased risk for ADHD and ASD with prenatal oxytocin exposure.
- Adjusted analyses revealed a modest association: HR 1.03 (95% CI 1.01-1.05) for ADHD and HR 1.05 (95% CI 1.02-1.08) for ASD, consistent across countries and genders.
Conclusions:
- An association was observed between synthetic oxytocin and ADHD/ASD, but it is unlikely to be causal.
- The findings suggest that concerns about obstetric oxytocin use leading to ADHD or ASD are not supported.
- This study helps to alleviate apprehension regarding the safety of oxytocin in labor induction and augmentation.
Background:
Some studies have indicated an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a small, sex-specific association with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children prenatally exposed to obstetric oxytocin. Since oxytocin is widely used in the obstetric ward, these potentially deleterious effects are of concern. Thus, we aimed to examine whether obstetric oxytocin treatment for labour induction or augmentation is associated with ADHD and ASD in offspring born in a two-country design based on data from Denmark and Finland.
Methods:
This population-based study used data from national registers in Denmark and Finland. Singletons born in Denmark 2000-10 (n = 577 380) and Finland 1991-2010 (n = 945 543), who survived infancy, were followed until 31 December 2015. ADHD and ASD were defined using diagnostic codes. For ADHD, we also included information on prescribed and redeemed ADHD medication in the definition. Hazards ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), modelled with age as the underlying time scale, were calculated to estimate the associations.
Results:
Oxytocin was used in 31% and 46% of the included deliveries in Denmark and Finland, respectively. In crude analyses, prenatal oxytocin was associated with an approximately 20% increased risk of ADHD and ASD, but confounder adjustment attenuated the association. The adjusted HR was 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05, for ADHD and 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.08, for ASD. The results were similar in across country and gender.
Conclusions:
We found an association between synthetic oxytocin and ADHD or ASD which is unlikely to reflect a causal association and thus should not support the concern of clinical use. Our results help to allay concerns of obstetric use of oxytocin causing ADHD or ASD.
More Related Videos
05:48The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
Published on: June 12, 2020
19:15Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Related Concept Videos
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
01:30Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and...
01:28Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:29Environmental Influences on Intelligence
01:28Conduct Disorder