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Attention deficit disorder with developmental coordination disorders
M Landgren1, B Kjellman, C Gillberg
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Göteborg University, Annedals Clinics, Sweden.
Insights
Prenatal and familial factors, including maternal smoking, significantly contribute to deficits in attention, motor control, and perception (DAMP) in children. Early detection and treatment of language problems are crucial for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Pediatric neurology
- Developmental psychology
Background:
- Deficits in Attention, Motor Control, and Perception (DAMP) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Understanding the multifactorial etiology of DAMP is crucial for effective intervention.
- Previous research has explored various risk factors, but a comprehensive analysis is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of social, familial, prenatal, perinatal, and developmental factors to the pathogenesis of DAMP.
- To identify specific risk factors associated with DAMP in a population-based cohort.
- To inform primary prevention strategies for DAMP.
Main Methods:
- A population-based case-control study involving 113 children aged 6 years (62 with DAMP, 51 controls).
- Utilized standardized interviews with mothers and reviewed health/medical records.
- Employed the reduced optimality method to score familial, prenatal, developmental, and psychosocial factors.
Main Results:
- Children with DAMP had higher rates of low socioeconomic class, familial language disorder, and familial motor clumsiness.
- Neuropathogenic risk factors in utero and maternal smoking during pregnancy were significantly more common in the DAMP group.
- Language problems (two-thirds of DAMP cases), sleep problems, and gastrointestinal disorders were prevalent.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal, familial, and neuropathogenic factors are significant contributors to DAMP development.
- Primary prevention strategies, including enhanced maternal healthcare and early language problem management, are essential.
- Addressing associated language difficulties is a key component of DAMP intervention.
Aims:
To analyse the contribution of certain social, familial, prenatal, perinatal, and developmental background factors in the pathogenesis of deficits in attention, motor control, and perception (DAMP).
Methods:
A population based case-control study was carried out with 113 children aged 6 years, 62 diagnosed with DAMP and 51 controls without DAMP. The children's health and medical records were studied and their history with regard to background factors was taken at an interview with the mother using a standardised schedule. Familial factors, possible non-optimal factors during pregnancy (including smoking), developmental factors (including early language development), and medical and psychosocial data were scored in accordance with the reduced optimality method.
Results:
Low socioeconomic class was common in the group with DAMP. Familial language disorder and familial motor clumsiness were found at higher rates in the DAMP group. Neuropathogenic risk factors in utero were also more common in the children with DAMP. Maternal smoking during pregnancy appeared to be an important risk factor. Language problems were present in two thirds of the children with DAMP. Sleep problems and gastrointestinal disorders, but not atopy or otitis media, were significantly more common in the DAMP group.
Conclusions:
Prenatal familial and neuropathogenic risk factors contribute to the development of DAMP. Primary prevention, such as improved maternal health care and early detection or treatment, or both, of associated language problems appear to be essential.