Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 7, 2025

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development
05:44

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development

Published on: May 17, 2024

890

Parental age at childbirth and risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in offspring

Kyoung Min Kim1, Yu Jung Choi2, Myung Ho Lim3

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry, Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan, Republic of Korea; Environmental Health Center, Dankook University Medical Center, Cheonan, Republic of Korea.

Journal of Psychiatric Research
|September 26, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Parental age at birth is linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. Both younger and older parental ages showed increased ADHD risk, suggesting a U-shaped association.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Psychiatry
  • Genetics and Epigenetics

Background:

  • Parental age at conception is a factor in offspring neurodevelopment.
  • Previous research on parental age and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has yielded inconsistent findings, particularly regarding advanced parental age.
  • Understanding environmental and biological influences on ADHD is crucial for early intervention and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between parental age at birth and the prevalence and severity of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children.
  • To explore the shape of the relationship between parental age (both young and advanced) and ADHD risk.
  • To contribute novel insights into the complex etiology of ADHD.

Main Methods:

  • A large cohort study involving 30,552 children aged 6-12 years.
  • Parental ratings of ADHD symptoms were collected using the Korean version of the ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS).
  • Statistical analysis examined the relationship between parental age at birth and K-ARS scores, including odds ratios for high-risk ADHD, analyzing a U-shaped curve.

Main Results:

  • A U-shaped association was observed between parental age at birth and ADHD symptoms in children.
  • Children of the youngest parents (≤20 years) exhibited the highest ADHD symptom scores and odds of high-risk ADHD.
  • Children of the oldest parents also showed significantly higher ADHD symptom scores and odds compared to the middle age groups.

Conclusions:

  • Both extremes of parental age—young and advanced—are associated with an increased risk of ADHD symptoms in offspring.
  • These findings challenge previous inconsistencies regarding advanced parental age and ADHD, highlighting a potential U-shaped risk.
  • Further cross-cultural research with detailed parental and child ADHD data is warranted to confirm these novel associations.

Keywords:
ADHDAge at birthChild and adolescentParentRisk factor

More Related Videos

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD10:02

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

Published on: March 12, 2020

16.4K
The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

6.2K

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
599
Conduct Disorder01:28

Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
345
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
410
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
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.
761
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
1.2K
Adler's Individual Psychology01:28

Adler's Individual Psychology

Alfred Adler, a prominent figure in psychology, founded the school of individual psychology. In contrast to Freud's emphasis on sexual or aggressive motives, Adler suggested that individuals are primarily motivated by their purposes and goals. He believed that people strive for perfection rather than pleasure. Adler argued that individuals could creatively act upon their genetic inheritance and environmental experiences to shape their own lives, emphasizing conscious motivation over...
1.9K