Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 28, 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

693

Preterm postnatal complications and risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Winnie Wan-Yee Tso1,2, Frederick Ka Wing Ho3, David Coghill4,5

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|September 15, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Children born preterm face a higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Early respiratory disease in preterm infants partially explains this increased ADHD risk.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Pediatric medicine
  • Public health

Background:

  • Preterm birth is a significant global health concern.
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
  • The association between preterm birth and ADHD risk requires further investigation, particularly concerning postnatal complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the link between preterm birth and the risk of developing ADHD.
  • To identify specific postnatal complications in preterm infants that contribute to ADHD risk.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort study utilizing Hong Kong electronic medical records.
  • Inclusion of 359,614 children aged 6-17 years, born between 2004 and 2014.
  • Longitudinal data collection on medical records and demographics until November 2020.

Main Results:

  • The incidence of ADHD was 4.0% in term-born children and 5.1% in preterm-born children.
  • Increased odds of ADHD were observed across all preterm categories: extremely preterm (OR 2.08), very preterm (OR 1.64), and late preterm (OR 1.15).
  • Early respiratory disease, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and intraventricular hemorrhage were significant predictors of ADHD in preterm infants. Respiratory disease partially explained the ADHD risk in very and late preterm infants, while ROP partially mediated the risk in very preterm infants.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm birth, across all gestational age subcategories, is associated with an elevated risk of ADHD.
  • Early respiratory disease is a key factor mediating the increased risk of ADHD in preterm children.
  • Targeted interventions for postnatal complications like respiratory disease may help mitigate ADHD risk in preterm infants.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

86.3K
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

15.9K

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....
170
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
1.2K
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.
191
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
2.6K
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...
124
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder01:27

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
93