Postpartum Depression Increases the Risk of Childhood Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Psychiatry
• Child Neurology
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a significant adverse pregnancy outcome.
• The correlation between maternal PPD and the development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in offspring requires further investigation.
• Understanding this link is crucial for early identification and intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if maternal Postpartum Depression (PPD) increases the risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.
• To analyze how child's sex, race/ethnicity, and gestational age modify the association between PPD and ADHD.
• To identify potential early warning signs for ADHD in children born to mothers with PPD.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study utilizing electronic health records of 229,860 singleton births.
• Inclusion criteria: children aged 3-12 years, delivered between 01/01/2010-12/31/2019.
• Ascertainment of PPD and ADHD using ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM codes and pharmacy records; incidence rates and adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) calculated.

Main Results:

• Children of mothers with PPD had a significantly higher incidence of ADHD (8.85/1000 person-years) compared to those without PPD (5.18/1000 person-years), with an aHR of 1.76 (95% CI: 1.66-1.86).
• PPD was associated with increased ADHD risk in children born prematurely (29-32 weeks: aHR=1.61; 33-36 weeks: aHR=1.72).
• The association between PPD and increased ADHD risk was consistent across all racial/ethnic groups and both sexes.

Conclusions:

• Maternal Postpartum Depression (PPD) is associated with an elevated risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in offspring.
• PPD may serve as a valuable indicator for identifying children who could benefit from early ADHD surveillance and intervention.
• Further research is necessary to elucidate a potential causal relationship or shared risk factors between PPD and ADHD.