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Psychiatric sequelae of low birth weight at 6 years of age
N Breslau1, G G Brown, J E DelDotto
1Henry Ford Health Sciences Center, Department of Psychiatry, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA.
Insights
Low birth weight (LBW) is linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. This association was more pronounced in urban populations, highlighting a significant public health concern.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Public Health
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant risk factor for various developmental issues.
- Understanding the specific links between LBW and neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD is crucial for early intervention.
- Socioeconomic factors may influence the manifestation of LBW-related health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between low birth weight (LBW) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- To compare this association in urban versus suburban populations with differing socioeconomic statuses.
- To explore the relationship between LBW and other childhood psychiatric disorders.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 823 children (473 LBW, 350 normal birth weight) selected from urban and suburban hospitals.
- Children were assessed at 6–7 years of age using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for children-Parent version (DISC-P) for DSM-III-R diagnoses.
- Teacher ratings of behavior problems were collected to corroborate diagnostic findings.
Main Results:
- Low birth weight (LBW) was significantly associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- The association between LBW and ADHD was stronger in the urban population compared to the suburban population.
- No significant association was found between LBW and childhood anxiety disorders or oppositional defiant disorder.
Conclusions:
- LBW is a risk factor for ADHD, with a notable disparity in prevalence based on socioeconomic environment.
- Early identification and intervention for children with LBW, particularly in urban settings, may mitigate ADHD risks.
- Further longitudinal studies are needed to understand the long-term prognosis of psychopathology in LBW children.
Abstract:
The study examined the association between low birth weight (LBW) (< or = 2,500 g) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in two socioeconomically disparate populations. LBW and normal birth weight (NBW) children from the 1983 to 1985 newborn lists of an urban and a suburban hospital in Southeast Michigan were randomly selected. A total of 823 children, 473 LBW and 350 NBW, participated. Data were gathered in 1990 to 1992, when the children were 6 to 7 years of age. The National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule for children-Parent version (DISC-P) was used to elicit information on DSM-III-R diagnoses of simple phobia, overanxious, separation anxiety, oppositional defiant, and ADHD. Teachers' ratings of behavior problems were obtained. LBW was associated with ADHD but not with childhood anxiety disorders or oppositional defiant disorder. The association was stronger in the urban than in the suburban population. Data from teachers' ratings revealed an association between LBW and attention problems. The prognostic significance of the observed psychopathology at 6 years of age requires follow-up assessment as the children mature.