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Maternal age at childbirth and the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning disability in

Ling Gao1, Songtao Li1, Yulin Yue1

  • 1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

Frontiers in Public Health
|February 23, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Young maternal age at childbirth increases offspring risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disability (LD). Advanced maternal age is also linked to ADHD and LD risks, with LD showing a U-shaped curve.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Pediatric Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Previous studies suggest young maternal age increases attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) risk in offspring.
  • Research on the impact of both young and advanced maternal age on learning disability (LD) risk is limited.
  • No U.S. population-based studies have investigated these associations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between young and advanced maternal age at childbirth and offspring risk of ADHD and LD in the U.S.
  • To analyze the relationship between maternal age at childbirth and ADHD/LD risk using a large national dataset.
  • To explore potential non-linear relationships between maternal age and offspring neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 8,098 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004.
  • Employed multivariate logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
  • Adjusted for covariates including age, sex, race, BMI, poverty, and smoking; used Restricted Cubic Spline (RCS) models for non-linear analysis.

Main Results:

  • Offspring born to mothers aged 18-24 years had increased risks of ADHD (OR=1.34) and LD (OR=1.36).
  • Advanced maternal age (35-39 years) was associated with lower ADHD risk (OR=0.60) but higher LD risk (OR=1.34) compared to mothers aged 25-29.
  • A U-shaped curve was observed for the relationship between maternal age and LD risk.

Conclusions:

  • Young maternal age at childbirth is a significant risk factor for ADHD and LD in offspring.
  • Both young and advanced maternal ages are associated with increased risks for ADHD and LD.
  • Findings highlight the importance of maternal age as an epidemiological factor in offspring neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
NHANESattention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderepidemiologylearning disabilitymaternal age

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