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Parasitic infections as potential risk factors for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children

Dalia A Elmehy1, Basma M Elmansory1, Ghada A Gamea1

  • 1Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

Journal of Parasitic Diseases : Official Organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology
|March 13, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Parasitic infections may be a risk factor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Early diagnosis and treatment of these infections could aid in ADHD prevention and management.

Area of Science:

  • Neuropsychiatry
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has an unclear cause, and its link to parasitic infections is understudied.
  • Parasitic infections are a global health concern, particularly in children, and may influence neurodevelopment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between ADHD and specific intestinal and tissue-dwelling parasitic infections in children.
  • To compare parasitic infection prevalence, micronutrient levels, and sociodemographic factors between children with ADHD and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 200 children (100 with ADHD, 100 controls).
  • Assessed sociodemographic data, Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS-48), hemoglobin, eosinophil count, serum IgG for Toxoplasma and Toxocara (ELISA), urine Schistosoma antigen, stool for coccidia (MZN staining), and stool antigens for Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Entamoeba histolytica.

Main Results:

  • Children with ADHD showed higher susceptibility to sociodemographic risk factors and significantly lower levels of hemoglobin, iron, zinc, and copper (P < 0.001).
  • Statistically significant differences in detected parasitic infections were observed between ADHD and control groups, excluding Schistosoma antigen positivity.

Conclusions:

  • Parasitic infections and their sequelae are potential risk factors contributing to ADHD in children.
  • Early detection and treatment of parasitic infections may play a role in preventing ADHD.

Keywords:
ADHDCryptosporidium parvumIronToxocaraToxoplasmaZinc

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