Danish researchers have found that premature babies are 70% more likely to become children with ADHD if they are born at 34-36 weeks. The likelihood of having ADHD triples if the baby was born before 34 weeks. The study, which looked at 30,000 children, also showed a link between low birth weight and a higher risk of ADHD. The study looked at 30,000 children.
You can read about this study in the Archives of Diseases in Childhood. Data from the Danish National Register was used. 834 of the children studied had been born prematurely, while the rest had not.
This is the first study to look at a link between ADHD and babies born after 28 weeks. Previous studies did show a link, but only looked at gestation periods of 28 weeks or less.
Here are some facts from the study:
— Full-term babies weighing 1.5 – 2.5 kilos (3lb 3oz to 5lb 5oz) were 90% more likely to have ADHD later on when compared to babies who were not born underweight.
— Full-term babies weighing 1.6 – 5 kilos (5lb 6oz to 6lb 6oz) had a 50% higher risk
Dr. Karen Linnet, study author, said that although previous studies had shown a link between ADHD and babies born at less than 28 weeks, most pre-term babies are born from 28-36 weeks. This study shows a link between ADHD and pre-term babies born nearer the full-term period.
The incidence of premature birth is growing in the developed world, 45,000 babies in the UK are born pre-term each year – many of them at 34-36 weeks.
Health experts now say research is needed into:
1. Why do premature births happen?
2. Why do premature births raise the risk of ADHD?
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today