Associations between ADHD symptoms and maternal and birth outcomes  in a multi-country cohort of expectant mothers. 

Publication Type: Journal article
Year: 2022
Author(s): Aja Louise Murray, Diana Taut, Adriana Baban, Chad Lance Hemady, Susan Walker, Joseph Osafo, Siham Sikander, Mark Tomlinson, Stefani Du Toit, Marguerite Marlow, Catherine L. Ward, Asvini Fernando, Bernadette Madrid, Vo Van Thang, Hoang Dinh Tuyen, Michael Dunne, Claire Hughes, Pasco Fearon, Sara Valdebenito, and Manuel Eisner
Unit: SaVI
Journal: Journal of Attention Disorders
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547221105064
Link:  https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10870547221105064

Abstract: "Objective: ADHD symptoms can adversely impact functioning in a range of domains relevant for maternal well-being and fetal development; however, there has been almost no research examining their impact during pregnancy. We aimed to address this gap. Method: We used data (n = 1,204) from a longitudinal birth cohort study spanning eight countries to address this gap. Results: ADHD symptoms in the third trimester of pregnancy were associated with lower social support from family (b = −0.16, p = .031), friends (b = −0.16, p = .024), and significant others (b = −0.09, p = .001); higher stress (b = 0.34, p < .001) and depressive symptoms (b = 0.31, p < .001), and increased likelihood of an unwanted pregnancy (b = 0.30, p = .009). Significant associations with tobacco use (b = 0.36, p = .023) and premature birth (b = 0.35, p = .007) did not survive correction for multiple comparisons and there were no significant associations with alcohol use, low birth weight, or unplanned pregnancy. Conclusion: Results suggest that women with ADHD symptoms could benefit from earlier, more regular screening for mental health difficulties and greater mental health support during pregnancy."

Citation:  Murray, A.L., Taut, D., Baban, A., Hemady, C.L., Walker, S., Osafo, J., Sikander, S., Tomlinson,  M., Ward, C.L.,  Fernando, A., Madrid, B., Thang, V.V., Dunne, M., Hughes, C., Fearon, P., Valdebenito, S., & Eisner, M. (2022). Associations between ADHD symptoms and maternal and birth outcomes  in a multi-country cohort of expectant mothers.  Journal of Attention Disorders, 26(14), 1882-1894, https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547221105064.