[Exposure to noise at home, emotional behaviour, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in 9-year-old children]
Irene Alfanjarín Monfort1, Marisa Rebagliato2, Marisa Estarlich3
1Universitat Jaume I. Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina. Castelló de la Plana. Comunidad Valenciana. España.. al339250@uji.es.
Insights
Home noise significantly impacts children's neurodevelopmental risks, with different noise sources linked to specific problems like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and behavioral issues. Sleep disturbances did not alter these associations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Child Development
- Neuroscience
Context:
- Noise pollution is a growing concern in urban environments.
- Understanding its impact on child neurodevelopment is crucial.
- Previous research has explored links between environmental factors and child health outcomes.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between perceived noise disturbance at home and neurodevelopmental problems in 9-year-old children.
- To assess the specific risks of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), internalizing, and externalizing problems.
- To determine the role of sleep disturbances in this association.
Summary:
- A study of 430 children in Valencia, Spain, found that noise from home and neighbors was most bothersome.
- Higher risks of internalizing and externalizing problems were observed, particularly in boys.
- Noise exposure was linked to neurodevelopmental issues, with specific sources correlating with ADHD, internalizing, and externalizing problems, independent of sleep disturbances.
Impact:
- Findings highlight the differential impact of various noise sources on specific neurodevelopmental outcomes in children.
- Results underscore the importance of addressing home-based noise pollution for child well-being.
- This research provides evidence for targeted interventions to mitigate environmental risks to child neurodevelopment.
Background:
The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between noise disturbance at home, sleep disturbance, and neurodevelopmental problems in 9-year-old children.
Material And Methods:
Noise exposure (frequency) perceived by 430 9-year-old children from the INMA cohort in Valencia, Spain, were reported by their mothers. The risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as internalizing and externalizing problems, were assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist.
Results:
The risk of internalizing (18%) and externalizing problems (11.7%) was higher compared to the risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (1.4%) and were more prevalent in boys than in girls. The most common and bothersome noise exposures were generated at home (50.8-55.3%) and by neighbours (24.5%). The risk of neurodevelopmental problems was associated with sleep disturbances, particularly in relation with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (16.1 vs 4%; p<0.001), with no differences observed between sex. Sleep disturbances were significantly more common in children exposed to noise from household or neighbours. High levels of noise exposure from street traffic and neighbours were linked to an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, while noise from other children at home was associated with a higher risk of internalizing and externalizing problems. These effects remained consistent even after adjusting for sleep disturbances.
Conclusions:
High levels of noise annoyance from various sources perceived at home are differently associated with the risks of different neurodevelopmental problems in 9-year-old boys and girls, with sleep disturbances not influencing this relationship.
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